Photo:

Eclipse Sportswire / Breeders’ Cup

Lake Victoria proved her class in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, angling out into the lane and clearing off to win with authority.

Favored at 1-2 off of a top-class European campaign, Lake Victoria broke well but settled back to midpack into the first turn under jockey Ryan Moore. After a scramble for the lead in the open furlong, Thought Process took the pacesetter’s mantle into the first turn, setting opening fractions of 22.25 and 45.37 seconds while tracked in closest range by Kilwin.

Down the backstretch, Lake Victoria took gradually closer order inside while Thought Process continued to sest the pace. Approaching the turn for home Moore shifted the favorite out three wide, took the lead at the furlong mark, and drew clear. She finished the mile over firm turf in 1:22.15.

May Day Ready, the Jessamine (G2) winner, rallied with good interest in the lane under Frankie Dettori but finished a clear second behind the favorite. Nitrogen kicked on late between horses to outfinish Fiery Lucy for show, and Kilwin held for fifth.

Lake Victoria, a 2-year-old daughter of Frankel out of the Showcasing mare Quiet Reflection, is now undefeated in five starts. She has won three straight at the top level in three different countries: the Moyglare Stud (G1) in Ireland, the Cheveley Park (G1) in England, and now the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in the United States.