Rushing Fall Strikes in BC Juvenile Fillies Turf

Bob Edwards of e Five Racing Thoroughbreds has this one figured out.

One season after sending New Money Honey out to win the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T), Edwards' fledgling stable returned with undefeated Rushing Fall and took down the mile event at Del Mar. Both contenders were trained by Chad Brown and ridden to victory by Javier Castellano.

It was Brown's fourth Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf win, adding to his 2008 score with Maram and a 2014 victory with Lady Eli.

Rushing Fall, who came off a victory in the Oct. 10 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland after breaking her maiden at first asking Sept. 16 at Belmont Park, broke well from post 11 and tracked the pace set by Moon Dash, who went a quarter-mile in :23.04, and Juliet Capulet, who took over to run a :47.23 half-mile.

"She broke well out of the gate," Castellano said. "She put me in a good spot in the race. I got a good position ... I took my time with her ... and I stepped up a little bit outside. I followed the front-running horses, and turning for home it was amazing. I just asked her, and she exploded. She's got a powerful kick, and the way she did it, I was very impressed."

Four-wide while tracking ninth, then eighth, the 2-year-old More Than Ready  filly moved up to fifth as three-quarters went in 1:11.93. She rallied six-wide into the stretch and took command, running seven-eighths in 1:24.09 en route to a final time of 1:36.09 on turf rated firm. 

"Chad was really confident in this filly back when she was at Stonestreet (training center)," Edwards said. "He said, 'Look, if you give her to me, I'll take you to the Breeders' Cup,' and this was seven months ago. He delivered."

Brown was unable to attend post-race interviews because he had to saddle Practical Joke  in the Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), but Castellano summed up the reason for his success.

"He's very dedicated," the jockey said. "He picks the spot with the horse, develops (his plan) with the horse. He takes his time. I think he does a great job ... he pays attention to every single detail. I think that's what makes the difference."

Edwards gave credit to agent Mike Ryan, who selected Rushing Fall from Taylor Made Sales Agency's consignment to the Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga 2016 select yearling sale, where she was purchased for $320,000. She was bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III and John D. Fielding out of the Forestry mare Autumnal. 

"It's the combination, once again. It's Mike Ryan, it's Chad, it's Javier," Edwards said. "I talk to the guys regularly, and they guide me and help me through the industry. Owners here, there's a lot of great people in the business that kind of help you. And as you guys know, it's a big social club. We all want to win, but at the end of the day, we're all friendly. This is a really great sport, and we all love it."

Rushing Fall held safe by three-quarters of a length from the rally of Best Performance, who races for West Point Thoroughbreds, Tango Uniform Racing, and Robert Masiello. The Christophe Clement trainee wound up in the runner-up spot for a fifth straight race. It was a length back to Aidan O'Brien-trained September, who completed the trifecta for Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. Happily, the 2-1 favorite for O'Brien in a 14-horse field, was steadied in tight multiple times and weakened to finish last.

"Javier rode a great race," Brown said. "The key was going out of that post and getting a spot in the first half of the field, which he accomplished from there, with a nice pace in front of us. He was comfortable where he was and he moved when he felt the time was right. She has a devastating move when you turn her loose." 

Off at odds of 3-1, Rushing Fall returned $8, $4.60, and $3.40, while Best Performance paid $11.80 and $7.80. September was worth $4.80. Following the top three home were Brown-conditioned Significant Form, Fatale Bere, Dixie Moon, Capla Temptress, Now You're Talking, Orbolution, Moon Dash, Juliet Capulet, Ultima D, Madeline, and Happily. Also-eligibles Goodthingstaketime and Retro were scratched.

According to Edwards, Rushing Fall will head to Ocala, Fla., for the winter.

"She's going to go down to Stonestreet and take the winter off. She deserves it," he said.