To view the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, click here.

by Tom Law

Dale Romans earned his first Breeders’ Cup World Championships victory and delivered a sweet win for longtime client Frank Jones Jr. as Tapitsfly wore down a stubborn Rose Catherine to win the second edition of the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday at Santa Anita Park.

Rose Catherine set almost all the pace in the one-mile Juvenile Fillies Turf in her first start around two turns but could not hold off hard-charging Tapitsfly and jockey Robby Albarado in deep stretch. Tapitsfly and Rose Catherine hooked up in the stretch and dispatched their opponents, including 3-to-2 favorite Lillie Langtry (Ire), with relative ease inside the final furlong.

Tapitsfly, winner of the P. G. Johnson Stakes two starts back on the turf at Saratoga Race Course, won by a half-length in 1:34.25 on the firm turf.

The win was especially sweet for Romans, not just because it was his first Breeders’ Cup win in seven starts, but because of his family’s longtime association with Jones.

“It’s a pretty wild story,” Romans said as he waited on the racetrack for Tapitsfly to head to the winner’s circle. “He’s been in the game for a long time, mostly with claiming horses. Nobody deserves it more than him.”

Jones, who bred the two-year-old Tapit filly in Kentucky out of his winning Marlin mare Flying Marlin, had never started a horse in the Breeders’ Cup.

“This is just fantastic,” Jones said. “His dad [the late Jerry Romans] was my trainer for years and now Dale’s my trainer. They’re the only trainers I’ve ever had.”

The Juvenile Fillies Turf, which was won by the American-based Maram last year, was again dominated by runners from the U.S. as the first four finishers were sent out by trainers based primarily on the East Coast.

Trainer Todd Pletcher was pleased with the effort of Rose Catherine, who came into the Juvenile Fillies Turf with only a maiden win going six furlongs on the turf in her last start on October 11 at Belmont.

“That was a big effort for her, especially considering it was only her second time on grass and her first time around two turns,” Pletcher said.

House of Grace finished third, 1 1/4 lengths clear of Hatheer.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

For video of Tapitsfly's trainer Dale Romans, click here.

For video of Tapitsfly's owner Frank Jones, click here.

For video of Tapitsly's jockey Robby Albarado, click here.

For more quotes, click here.

Tom Law is managing editor of Thoroughbred Times