Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Hannon pleased with draw

Richard Hannon's Sky Lantern has strong claims

Richard Hannon junior has expressed his delight after Sky Lantern was given stall three for Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita...

The Hannon team have not enjoyed much luck at the Breeders' Cup, with Paco Boy and Strong Suit both falling short in the last two renewals of the Mile.

Sky Lantern has the right credentials having been prepared for her American jaunt since winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in September and, on this occasion, the draw has been kind.

"So much better than last year when Strong Suit drew 11 from 13," Richard Hannon junior, assistant to his father, told www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.

"Obviously, we don't know how Sky Lantern will take to the track - Strong Suit never got hold of the surface at Churchill Downs last year, while Paco Boy just could not handle the very sharp bends - but Hughesie (Richard Hughes) should have a better idea after giving her a spin around the course later in the week.

"For once, the draw has been kind to us, and it is a case of so far, so good."

Sky Lantern currently heads the market for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, trading at a price of 3.185/40.

Ralph Beckett's Waterway Run is in stall 10 and will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, while the Jeremy Noseda-trained The Gold Cheongsam is even wider in stall 12.

Aidan O'Brien's Infanta Branca, the mount of Ryan Moore, has been drawn stall 15 but is currently first reserve.

The European challenge is completed by French raider Flotilla (stall four).

The opening event on Friday's card is the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, in which Tom Dascombe's Ceiling Kitty (stall two) is the sole British hope.

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