Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Handicapping Tips

Handicapping the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Races

Horse Betting Tips & Racing Picks

The 2016 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships is taking place on November 5, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, featuring eight championship horse races. Strong race contenders for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies include Alienation, Awesome Feather, Maple Forest, R Heat Lightning, Rigoletta, Stopspendingmaria, Summer Laugh, Tap for Luck, Tell a Kelly, Valiant Passion, Wickedly Perfect and Wonderlandbynight The best of luck on handicapping the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies!

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) is the only Breeders' Cup championship race to be won exclusively by Americans. From the controversial Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies inaugural race in 1984, when Fran's Valentine was disqualified for interference in the stretch drive, earning the late-charging Outstandingly her victory, all the way to 2004, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies has really been all-American action for handicapping.

The $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies has been a showcase of stellar performances and has served as a good barometer for determining a filly's future potential in North American horse racing. Out of 25 winners in this event, 20 were subsequently voted year-end champions. Previous winners that have gone on to shine more brightly past their freshman year include Preakness Stakes (Grade 1) winners Curlin in 2007 and Rachel Alexandra in 2009, as well as eventual Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) winners Rachel Alexandra in 2009, Open Mind in 1988 and Silverbulletday in 1998. The race's male counterpart, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade 1), has never been able to pull the same feat with the Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) to date.

Since its first running in 1984, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies has been run at three different distances. The first two were contested at 8 furlongs before the event was changed to 1 1/16 miles in its third running. It was brought back to 1 mile for its fourth edition, when Epitome won, and had been at 1 1/16 miles until 2002 when it was lengthened to a full 9 furlongs to cater to the Arlington Park configuration of the oval. The 2003 running at the Santa Anita Park saw the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies reverting back to the more traditional 1 1/16 miles.

Considering the enormous amount of two-year-olds out there, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies surprisingly ranks near-bottom in the number of runners sent to the post each year, averaging at 11.3.

Favorites have held their own along the way. Eleven of them, including Sweet Catomine (2004), Halfbridled (2003), and Storm Flag Flying (2002), have gone on to claim the championship. 5-2 favorite Halfbridled did not disappoint as she tucked in behind runners having to angle in from the far outside post. Turning for home, she kicked into gear and blew right by the pace, drawing away to win by 2 1/2 lengths in a time of 1:42 3/5. But the test has also found its share of bombs crossing the wire in front.

Even at the onset, with 74-1 shot Fran's Valentine being disqualified down to tenth place, Outstandingly paid $47.60 when elevated to the win. After Epitome paid $62.80 when she won in 1987, the race held pretty true to form - until 1999, when Cash Run paid $67 for finishing a length and a quarter in front. Caressing bested that in 2000 by returning $96 for the victory.