In the wake of Caressing’s second-place performance in the Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes, relatively few bettors chose to embrace her in the $1,120,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Those who did found themselves with payoffs of $96, $34.80 and $15.80.
With John Velasquez in the saddle for the first time, the 47-1 long shot came from the middle of the field to angle six-wide into contending position in the stretch. Then, with just over an eighth of a mile remaining in the 11/16-mile race, Caressing took the lead.
Answering the late challenge of Platinum Tiara, Caressing won by a half-length in 1 minute 42.77 seconds. She’s a Devil Due came from far back to show.
“I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect trip,” Velazquez said. “She did everything I asked. When I asked her to run she responded.”
According to trainer David Vance, the home-track advantage helped bring out the best in Caressing. “She has been at Churchill Downs since early April, and she knows the track,” he said.
Raging Fever, the 2.50-1 favorite, finished sixth, while front-running Arlington-Washington Lassie winner Thunder Bertie fell back to seventh after leading until the stretch.