Queen’s Trust Nails Lady Eli in Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2016) – Cheveley Park Stud’s Queen’s Trust ($18) caught favored Lady Eli right at the finish line to win the 17th running of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) by a nose Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita Park.

A 3-year-old daughter of Dansili, Queen’s Trust completed the 1 ¼ miles on firm turf in 1:57.75, breaking the Breeders’ Cup record of 1:58.73 established by Dank in 2013 at Santa Anita.

Queen’s Trust is trained by Sir Michael Stoute and was ridden by Frankie Dettori.

The victory was the seventh for Stoute in the World Championships and third in the Filly & Mare Turf. His other victories came with Islington in 2003 and Dank in 2013, both at Santa Anita.

For Dettori, it was his 12^th Breeders’ Cup victory and second in the Filly & Mare Turf with his other triumph coming with Ouija Board in 2006.

BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF QUOTES

Winning jockey Frankie Dettori (Queen’s Trust) – “The pace was a bit slow for her and the straights are a bit short but when I got to Lady Eli’s back wheels, I was confident I would catch her. She dug very deep today and it’s great for the team. I am also very said for Freddy Tylicki (who was paralyzed in a riding accident las week).”

Winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute (Queen’s Trust) – “Thank God everything went right today. I didn’t really have to convince the owners to come here.”

Chris Richardson (Cheveley Park Racing Manager) (Queen’s Trust) – “She has been unlucky in running a few times this year, but it all came right today. Frankie gave her a superb ride.”

Second-place jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. (Lady Eli, favorite) – “I saw the filly coming on the outside, but I simply was beaten today. No excuses.”

Second-place trainer Chad Brown (Lady Eli, favorite) – “I was thrilled the way she ran today. I was somewhat concerned to see her so far back early, because it left her with so much to do. Irad was hopelessly trapped early, but somehow miraculously got out in the final turn to give her a chance to win. I wasn’t sure which filly got it at the wire, but the more I saw the replays, the worse it looked for us. Frankie (Dettori, on Queen’s Trust) rode a fabulous race and it was just two great horses down to the finish line. Naturally, I’m disappointed, but still very proud of her.”

Third-place jockey Flavien Prat (Avenge) – “We had a good trip. She was comfortable on the lead. She ran a good race.”

Third-place trainer Richard Mandella (Avenge) – “She ran terrific. She’s come a long way since the summertime. I just left it to Flav (front-running strategy). He kind of likes that stuff. I’m very happy with her.”

Fourth-place trainer Aidan O’Brien (Seventh Heaven) – “I was very pleased with her run. She was running on at the end and it might be that a mile and a half is her best trip.”

Fifth-place trainer Michael Stidham (Zipessa) – “Unbelievable. Obviously without wanting to (come from behind with a frontrunner) we learned something with her today. She was fidgety and right as the gates opened, her head went up and she completely missed the break. Joe (Bravo, jockey) said he didn’t even have to grab her. She was just cruising along and then when he asked her around the turn she was picking them up like crazy. She beat a lot of the best fillies in the world. It was very nice, impressive and we’re very happy with her.”

Breeders’ Cup and Santa Anita Park