Juvenile Fillies Turf Division

JUNIA TEPZIA-IR
Owner: Team Valor International
Trainer: P. Schiergen
Pedigree: B.f.,2,, by Rock of Gibraltar – Marie Laurencin, by Peintre Celebre

Positives: Junia Tepzia is an undefeated Italian-raced filly which was purchased privately by Team Valor International following a pleasing debut maiden win in August. She rewarded her new owners with a very impressive subsequent victory by more than three lengths in the listed Premio Coolmore S. at San Siro over seven and one-half furlongs over good ground, providing her connections with the confidence to supplement her to the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. In her stakes triumph, the daughter of Rock of Gibraltar earned an eye-catching 104 Racing Post Rating, which, if taken at face value, makes her a contender in California, and she won it in style, drawing away in the late stages to give indication that extra ground won’t be an issue. By way of comparison, Maram was assigned an RPR of 110 in her victory in last year’s BC Juvenile Filly Turf.

Concerns: Junia Tepzia probably didn’t have a whole lot behind her in Italy, where the form is generally considered somewhat below that of England, France, and even Ireland, but a good 2-year-old can come from anywhere and this filly might be just that. Both of her races to date have been contested on right-handed tracks, and she’ll be racing in the opposite direction at Santa Anita.

Bottom Line: Junia Tepzia has done everything right in two career starts, and her RPR provides her with credentials to be competitive. Like all of the other Euro-shippers, she needs to be observed upon arrival to gauge her physical condition.