Tepin Topples Males in Breeders' Cup Mile

Tepin delivered her second straight monster performance in a grade I turf race at Keeneland, this time beating males in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) Oct. 31.

After winning the First Lady Stakes (gr. I) against females Oct. 3 at Keeneland, Robert Masterson’s Tepin came through again in the Mile, scoring by 2 1/4 lengths over Woodbine Mile (Can-I) winner Mondialiste, completing the race in 1:36.69 on good turf.

Tepin was guided to victory by Julien Leparoux for trainer Mark Casse, who earned his second Breeders’ Cup win of the weekend after saddling Catch a Glimpse to victory in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) Oct 30.

"To be in the same company with Goldikova, Miesque, and Royal Heroine—beating the boys in the Mile—I'm not sure I have the words," Casse said. "Am I dreaming? She just continues to amaze me."

In the Mile, Breeders' Cup veteran Obviously (IRE) hustled to the lead through a quarter-mile in :23.77 and a half-mile in :48.08 on the good turf. But Tepin raced with the early leader and would launch her move at the quarter pole, where she seized the lead. None of her 11 rivals answered quickly enough and Tepin opened a three-length lead in mid-stretch and cruised to the win.

"She broke well like she always does," said Leparoux, who secured his sixth Breeders' Cup win. "I was surprised actually to be on the lead around the first turn. I thought that Obviously would be there already. He came across on me and I couldn't get out. As soon as I pulled, she was great, she just relaxed. On the backside, I was very confident."

Geoff and Sandra Tunbull's Mondialiste delivered his second straight strong finish in North America as the son of Galileo finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of Jim and Susan Hill's Grand Arch, who entered off a grade I win at Keeneland in the Shadwell Turf Mile.

"I'm over the moon," said Mondialiste's trainer David O'Meara. "He was struggling for a while and we got a bit short of room. But, he didn't have it coming down the stretch. He's improving all the time and has even improved from his last run in Canada. I'm really, really pleased."

A 4-year-old filly by Bernstein—Life Happened by Stravinsky, Tepin was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall.

The winner paid $11.80, $5.20, and $4 across the board, while Mondialiste paid $13.60 and $8.20. Third-place finisher Grand Arch returned $6.20 to show.

Eclipse Award voters will face a tough choice between Filly and Mare Turf (gr. IT) winner Stephanie's Kitten and Tepin. Masterson obviously has a strong feeling on the issue.

"I told everyone that she was the best filly in the country and she proved it today," Masterson said. "She's great. She's a Breeders' Cup champion and she deserves it."