Tamweel rushed up along the rail early to set the pace along the rail of 1:10.50 for the 3/4 mile, then John Velazquez aboard the favorite found room entering the stretch, surged to the front nearing the furlong pole, and the edged clear under the right handed whip to win by the late-running Storm Flag Flying, who had to check slightly when Society Selection came in on her on the first turn. The margin of victory was 1 1/4 lengths, in a time of 1:48.26 over the "good" main track after overnight rain. Stellar Jayne was third and pacesetting Tamweel was fourth.
Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "I didn't give any special instructions in the paddock. We talked about strategy a little bit but it was pretty obvious what he was going to have to do from the one post. It opened up for her at the right time and she delivered. Johnny got a great spot and he got the job done."
Winning jockey John Velazquez said, "I had a perfect trip. I tucked into position on the first turn and I had to bide my time following the leaders. When Stellar Jayne went to the outside a hole opened up and when I asked her she was there for me. I am grateful I was the one to win for Todd." It was Pletcher's first Breeders' Cup win.
Jerry Bailey, aboard second place finisher Storm Flag Flying, said, "I had a relatively good trip but to win on a come-from-behind horse on this short stretch you've got a lot of running to do all the way around. And if there is traffic you can't let them run more. Inside the 1/4 pole I got clear by I had 4 or 5 lengths to make up. I couldn't catch up."
D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of third place finisher Stellar Jayne, said, "I was pleased in light of the way it unfolded. We weren't in the gate very long and didn't get away at all. We were last down the backstretch and that's not her style. She made a tremendous run to get up for third."
Juvenile . Juv.Fillies . Mile . Sprint . Distaff . F&M Turf . Turf . Classic
