Japanese Runner Meikei Yell Brings Element of Unknown

It's easy to understand why someone might overlook Meikei Yell  in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park. 

First, Japanese horses that haven't run in North America generally don't do well the first time. Second, until someone beats her in this race, it is Goodnight Olive 's world; the other eight runners are just living in it. 

But Meikei Yell is as wild of a wild card as there gets. 

The 5-year-old is by Mikki Isle , whose sire is Deep Impact (JPN). Deep Impact's sire is Hall of Famer Sunday Silence. The pedigree is there. Adding to the mystery is that in her 17 career starts (7-0-0), she's never broken from the starting gate with dirt under her.

Her trainer, Hidenori Take, who spoke through an interpreter, acknowledged all of his trainee's question marks. But also said, when she wins she makes a statement in doing so.

"She's ...a little bit difficult to control sometimes, and a little inconsistent but when she wins in her style, it's very strong and very impressive," he said via journalist Toshi Onikubo. "So this time around, she has a good chance and if the track suits her, I believe she has a good chance to win."

Bred by Northern Racing and owned by Nagoya Horse Racing, Meikei Yell has earned $2,861,851 in her career.