Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies -- Daddys Lil Darling

Daddys Lil Darling – 4-2-1-0, $224,165

Owner: Normandy Farm
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Corey Lanerie

Daddys Lil Darling dropped her career debut sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs in June, but easily earned her first victory by eight lengths next out at Ellis Park in an off-the-turf contest going a mile.

The Scatt Daddy filly returned to Churchill Downs about two months later for the Pocahontas Stakes (G2) and found herself running 1 1/16 miles for the first time over a muddy track. Daddys Lil Darling bided her time in midpack on the backstretch before beginning her move entering the turn. She fanned wide and fought the entire stretch to end up recording a half-length score for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Daddys Lil Darling didn’t rest on her laurels, showing up at Keeneland three weeks later for the October 7 Alcibiades Stakes (G1). She fell well back toward the rear of that 14-filly field and at one point had only a single horse beat. As the front of the field hit the turn, Daddys Lil Darling kicked into gear and passed nearly the entire group while widest of all. She angled back over and powered down the stretch to just miss by a length in second.

The bay filly was extremely game in defeat and once again galloped out past the winner. Daddys Lil Darling has both the talent and determination to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).