Spa no tonic to Europeans Dayatthespa dictated matters from the front to see off a strong European challenge in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. With Dank returning to defend her crown for Sir Michael Stoute and the likes of Just The Judge, Secret Gesture and Fiesolana all in the field, hopes were high for another win in a race that has been very kind to the raiding party over the years. But Javier Castellano gave the winner a canny ride in front, slowing it up and saving enough for the business end to prevail. Ryan Moore wound Dank up to challenge as she swung wide off the bend but she could not find the acceleration of 12 months ago, on what was her first run since Royal Ascot due to injury. The Charlie Hills-trained Just The Judge was always prominent under Jamie Spencer and stayed on to run a fine race in third, just ahead of Dank. Stephanie's Kitten was second to complete a memorable one-two for trainer Chad Brown. Hills said of Just The Judge, who was running back quickly after a recent top-level triumph in Canada: "I am really proud of the way she handled the turnaround from Canada, and there is no doubt with her Group Two win at two and Group One triumphs at three and four, she is a top-class filly. "If she remains in training I would like to take her to Dubai, Royal Ascot and then bring her back for another shot at this race." Stoute was left to rue what might have been with Dank - who will now be retired - had she not had her setback at the height of the season. He said: "Ryan said he was a bit further back than ideal and then she didn't produce her usual kick at the finish, but she has had her problems this year." Brown, former assistant to the late Bobby Frankel and who also struck at the big meeting on Friday night with star juvenile filly Lady Eli, said of his pair: "She (Dayatthespa) was going to get a little tired late, but with Stephanie's Kitten coming we had the bases covered. "I'm sorry there had to be a loser, they are both top class."
