Horse Profile: Alice Verite

Breeders' Cup Distaff Scouting Report

(Editor's note: Originally published in the 2024 BRISnet Breeders' Cup International Report)

Having raced exclusively on the Japanese turf so far, Alice Verite had the Filly & Mare Turf as her first preference at the pre-entry stage. But she was assured of getting into the Distaff, and her free-running style figures to boost the pace. 

Alice Verite collected a couple of stakes placings at Tokyo earlier in her career. As a juvenile, she was just denied by Ravel and Liberty Island when third in the 2022 Artemis (G3), and in the spring of her sophomore season, she placed second in the Sweet Pea S. But Alice Verite spent the bulk of her time placing in allowances, until a step up in trip and change in tactics conjured up improvement. 

In a March 2 allowance going about 1 1/4 miles at Kokura, Alice Verite was allowed to take command early. The exuberant pacesetter opened up by daylight and held sway by five lengths. Reverting to stalking tactics next time out at Hanshin, she was second.

Back on the lead in an about 1 1/4-mile Kyoto allowance May 25, Alice Verite sprinted to a gigantic lead after tearing through a half in :45.5. She was noticeably tiring down the lane, and imploring the wire to come, as she scraped home by a neck in 1:57.8.

Alice Verite harnessed her speed more rationally over the same course and distance in the Mermaid (G3). The 8-1 chance still scampered well clear of the field, but through a half in :46.6. While she shortened stride late, Alice Verite had a two-length cushion at the wire.

The Sept. 1 Niigata Kinen (G3) was supposed to be her springboard to the Filly & Mare Turf, only to have her give way down the lane and wind up 10th. That was versus males, and she weighed in 14 kilograms heavier than her prior start. 

Alice Verite’s pedigree suggests that she can adapt to dirt in principle. Most progeny of leading sire Kizuna excel on turf, but he has had several dirt performers, including Bathrat Leon, who surprised the 2022 Godolphin Mile (G2) in just his second dirt attempt. 

Two of Alice Verite’s full siblings won on dirt, notably Chimera Verite, whose stakes score came in the 2019 Hokkaido Nisai Yushun at Mombetsu. Their half-brother Lien Verite competed exclusively on dirt, winning twice at the listed level, but as you’d expect for a son of Gold Allure. They’re all out of the Cozzene mare Lumiere Verite.

Alice Verite’s trainer Kazuya Nakatake has had her dam and most of the family for owner Makoto Kato.