Resolute Racing's Village Voice (GB) (Zarak {Fr}) completed her first breeze back on Sunday since winning the Oct. 5 GIII Waya at Belmont at the Big A as she prepares for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Trained by Chad Brown, the 5-year-old breezed a half-mile in :50.16 seconds in company with Alimara (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}) over the Oklahoma training turf at Saratoga.
“Just a little maintenance half on the turf,” said Brown. “I thought she was moving really well. Her first work back since her win. I thought it was just what we were looking for. She'll have one more work next week and then head out to take a shot at the Breeders' Cup.”
Village Voice, a 1,300,000 gns purchase at the 2024 Tattersalls December Mare Sale. made her first start for Brown off a nearly one-year layoff in the 11-furlong Waya.
“I expected her to run well. I knew the layoff was going to be something for her to overcome. I was quite impressed that off nearly a year, she was able to have that kick and beat a field of horses that were fit and in form,” Brown said. “I was very pleased to see it, I wasn't surprised. She was training well, I just needed to see her do it off a layoff, which was a big ask and she came through. She could be a top-class filly.”
Brown is a four-time Filly and Mare Turf-winning trainer.
“It's very challenging,” Brown said. “I find that race, because again it is a three-turn race, a lot of it depends on who is coming over. The American horses, generally those aren't our best horses going that far, going that distance. The way I look at it is, if she's a Grade II, Grade III filly right now, I think she can be a Grade I horse. But that's what all of the American horses are, so she clearly fits with the American horses.”
Village Voice made 12 prior starts overseas for conditioner Jessica Harrington, earning four wins and four group placings, including victories in the 1 1/2-mile Listed Prix des Tourelles last September at Saint-Cloud and the Group 3 Prix de Flore going 1 5/16 miles in October 2023 there.
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