And the champion two-year-old filly is…

Two-Year-Old Filly – Champagne Room, Noted and Quoted, Sweet Loretta, Union Strike, etc.

OK, I held off as long as I could, hoping the last few juvenile filly graded races of 2016 would provide some clarity.

They didn’t.

Instead, the trend of upsets and one-hit wonders continued in the Starlet Stakes (G1), Golden Rod Stakes (G2), Demoiselle Stakes (G2) and Delta Downs Princess (G3).

The latter event saw Shane’s Girlfriend keep her record perfect while setting a new track record at Delta Downs. Miss Sky Warrior earned her third straight victory when holding off favored Jamyson ‘n Ginger in the Demoiselle. Farrell easily outran her 10-1 odds to capture the Golden Rod by six lengths. Abel Tasman pulled off a 12-1 upset in the Starlet over much more highly regarded rivals.

With leaves the conundrum of who to pick as champion two-year-old filly of 2016.

At this point I, very reluctantly, concede the Eclipse Award to CHAMPAGNE ROOM.

The Broken Vow filly did show up on the big day to take the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). She did so at 33-1, but still. It wouldn’t be the first time – nor will it probably be the last—that the Juvenile Fillies provided an easy out for champion juvenile filly.

Champagne Room wasn’t terrible before the Breeders’ Cup either. She actually broke her maiden in the Sorrento Stakes (G2) at Del Mar before running third in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) and fourth in the Chandelier Stakes (G1).

So all in all, Champagne Room isn’t a terrible pick.

I’ve just been spoiled with Songbirds and Beholders the past few years.

Champagne Room photo courtesy of Benoit Photos