Caledonia Road Upsets Juvenile Fillies

DEL MAR, CA – Jockey Mike Smith earned his Breeders’ Cup-record 26th win aboard Caledonia Road in Saturday’s Grade 1, $2,000,000 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Breaking well from post 12, Caledonia Road settled towards the back while Moonshine Memories and Alluring Star took turns setting fractions of :22.79, :46.72, and 1:11.38. With nearly 3 furlongs to go, Smith gave Caledonia Road the signal and swept her five wide through the far turn. Set down for the stretch drive, the Ralph Nicks trainee reeled in Alluring Star and drew off to win by 3 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:45.05 for the 1 1/16-mile main track event.

“We didn’t like the outside post,” Nicks said. “We were hoping it would go quick enough early, and I saw Mike trying to make an adjustment going into the first turn to get over, and it wasn’t meant to be. From there on, she stayed wide and clear-running, and she just was the best.”

Alluring Star faded late but managed to hold onto second by a neck over Blonde Bomber, with Separationofpowers another 1 3/4 lengths back in fourth. Piedi Bianchi took fifth by a head over Wonder Gadot, with Moonshine Memories, Princess Warrior, Gio Game, Stainless, Heavenly Love, Maya Malibu, and Tell Your Mama completing the order of finish.

With the win, the 2-year-old daughter of Quality Road increased her career earnings to $1,229,800 with a record of 3-2-1-0. Owned by a partnership between Zoom and Fish Stable Inc., Charlie Spiring, and Newtown Anner Stud, Caledonia Road may soon find herself crowned the 2-year-old filly of the year.

“She keeps going forward,” Nicks said. “I don’t know what the ceiling is. What can you say? She’s a Breeders’ cup champion now.”

Caledonia Road returned $36.60 to win, $15.40 to place, and $9.80 to show. Alluring Star brought back $10.40 to place and $7.20 to show, while Blonde Bomber paid $15.20 to show.

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