There was a touch of magic in the Southern California air on Friday as Super Corredora delivered a fearless front-running performance to win the $2 million NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar — a result that marked not just her coming of age, but also a deeply personal first for her rider.
For jockey Hector Berrios, it was a day he’ll never forget. Tears welled in his eyes as he unsaddled the filly — his first Breeders’ Cup victory, and one that came against some of the most talented two-year-olds in the country. “John told me to be confident,” Berrios said, his voice trembling with joy. “It’s an amazing day for me — for my career.”
A Brilliant Ride and a Relentless Filly
Breaking alertly from the gate, Super Corredora ($19.60) wasted no time asserting herself. The Gun Runner filly, bred in Kentucky and owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Robert C. Gardiner and Spartan Equine Racing et al., surged to the front and never looked back.
She carved out sharp fractions of :22.42 and :45.63, holding a comfortable advantage over Explora and La Wally into the far turn. When Explora mounted her challenge in the stretch, Super Corredora refused to yield, digging deep to hold her rival at bay by three-quarters of a length, stopping the clock at 1:43.71 for the 1 1/16 miles over a fast track.
Behind them, Percy’s Bar ran on gamely to take third, three lengths adrift, after recovering from early interference along the rail.
Sadler’s Fourth Breeders’ Cup Win
For trainer John Sadler, the victory carried a note of vindication. “She’s a filly we had really high hopes for,” Sadler said. “It didn’t go smooth this summer — she drew tough and didn’t get the run we knew she could. But she’s improved every time. We trained her right here at Del Mar, and she just kept getting better.”
It marked Sadler’s fourth Breeders’ Cup triumph, and one that underlined his instinct to trust his filly’s natural ability and stride.
The win brought Super Corredora’s earnings to $1,093,600, with a record of 4-2-1-0, and added a sparkling new chapter to her pedigree. She is out of the Super Saver mare Super Simple, and her performance suggested that this is only the beginning of a very bright career.
Explora and Percy’s Bar Gallant in Defeat
Runner-up Explora, trained by Bob Baffert, ran bravely in pursuit but could not close the gap. “My filly broke well, but Berrios got aggressive and got the good spot early — that’s how it went,” Baffert reflected. “She tried hard.”
Juan Hernandez, aboard Explora, echoed the sentiment: “We were in a good spot turning for home, but the winner just didn’t come back to me.”
Percy’s Bar, from Ben Colebrook’s barn, overcame early adversity to grab third. “She got knocked into the rail — tough filly to come back like that,” said Colebrook. “Wish we’d had a cleaner trip.”
A Career-Defining Day for Berrios
For Hector Berrios, this win wasn’t just a statistic. It was a moment that defined a career — a testament to trust, timing, and a little bit of California sunshine. “I’ve had three wins today,” he said with a smile. “But this one means everything.”
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