Caledonia Road © Eclipse Sportswire
DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2017) – Zoom and Fish Stable, Charlie Spring and Newtown Anner Stud’s Caledonia Road roared past Alluring Star at the sixteenth pole and drew off to win the 34th running of the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) for 2-year-olds by 3 ¼ lengths to kick off the second day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships Saturday afternoon at Del Mar racetrack.
Trained by Ralph Nicks and ridden by Mike Smith, Caledonia Road covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track in 1:45.05. It was the second win in three career starts for Caledonia Road, a Florida-bred daughter of Quality Road.
The victory was the ongoing record 26th for Smith in the Breeders’ Cup and third in the Juvenile Fillies. Previously, he had won with Stardom Bound (2008) and Songbird (2015). For Nicks, it was his first Breeders’ Cup victory from three starters.
Winning trainer Ralph Nicks (Caledonia Road) – “This filly has come into her own this fall and her timing was impeccable. This run down the stretch is kind of her style. This is my first win and it’s on my third try. It’s just amazing.”
Winning jockey Mike Smith (Caledonia Road) – “She was dynamite. She was much more forwardly placed than I expected her to be, to be honest. She was up there intent on getting into the game and running good. She was in a good rhythm, breathing well. I gave her a breather from the half-mile pole to the three-and-a half because she kind of wanted one. When I stepped on the accelerator again, man, she jumped back on it and I knew I was going to be live from that point on.”
Second-place trainer Bob Baffert (Alluring Star) – “She ran her heart out and I'm proud of her, but these second-place finishes are piling up and are tough. We try to win these things. But, all you can hope for is that your horse shows up and she ran well.”
Second-place jockey Joe Talamo (Alluring Star) – “We had a really good trip. I didn’t think Flavien (Prat on Moonshine Memories) was going to go out there so fast, but my filly was comfortable tracking off her. Turning for home I really thought we were going to get there. This filly has a big future. It was only her third start and she tried hard.”
Third-place assistant trainer to Stanley Gold Jocelyne Kenny (Blond Bomber) – “She ran amazing and I am so, so pleased with her. It was such a hot pace up front and we really didn't want her that far back, but honestly, I have no complaints. She definitely got far back and had a lot of work to do and a lot of ground to make up but they went :22 and :46 on the front end and that's fast. It was her first time going two turns, and her first time with this kind of company. She's never run in graded stakes company. I haven't to talked to Stan yet back in Florida, but I am sure that he's thrilled.”
Third-place jockey Jose Lezcano (Blonde Bomber) – “She ran really good. She broke good, but couldn’t keep up with the speedy horses early. I let her go to the back. I followed Mike at the half-mile pole. She picked up, but couldn’t get there.”
Trainer Simon Callaghan (beaten favorite Moonshine Memories, 7th) – “She got pressure all the way around, Alluring Star wouldn’t leave her alone, It’s tough to have that kind of pressure. I’m disappointed, but I’m happy with her.”