Tapitsfly wins Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

ARCADIA, California (AFP) - Tapitsfly outdueled Rose Catherine in the stretch to win the one million-dollar Breeders' cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday.

Robby Albarado was aboard the Dale Romans-trained Tapitsfly, keeping her in position around Santa Anita Park's turf course to strike in the final straight for a half-length victory.

Rose Catherine, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Javier Castellano, was 3 1/4 lengths in front of third-placed finisher House of Grace.

"It was a great trip, she broke well, she put herself in position," Albarado said. "I just wanted to clear most of them into the first turn so I wouldn't get packed out too wide. She's awful quick leaving the gate. She got herself into position and the first time I pressed, she went on.

"She's a little fighter, I'll tell you that," he added. "She's a true grass horse for sure."

Aidan O'Brien-trained favorite Lillie Langtry wasn't a factor, finishing eighth in a field of 12 two-year-old fillies in the one-mile race.

"I had a bit of a bump turning into the straight," said Lillie Langtry jockey Johnny Murtagh.

"About halfway down the straight I got pushed out a bit, but I think I was done at the time. I?m not sure if she handled the course. She didn?t turn well."

The race was part of the two-day, 14-race Breeders' Cup programme worth a total of 25.5 million dollars.

The five million-dollar Breeders' Cup Classic will cap the action on Saturday.

The highlight of Friday's six-race slate, was the two million-dollar Ladies' Classic.