Imports Take on Tepin

Considering the ease with which she's won her last four starts–including two over the local course–it seems a bit of a stretch to make a case for champion Tepin (Bernstein) doing anything but upping her streak to five in Keeneland's GI Coolmore Jenny Wiley S. Saturday. But with two European imports with solid credentials signed on, and another runner who has bested the favorite before, one can at least entertain the possibility of an upset. Tepin thrashed her opposition by seven lengths over a soft mile in the GI First Lady S. here Oct. 3, and easily handled an international cast of mostly male performers in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile four weeks later. She returned a freshly minted Eclipse Award winner to take Tampa's GIII Endeavour S. Feb. 13, and had no trouble relaxing off a rival who tried to pull a Presious Passion in the GII Hillsborough S. back in Oldsmar last out Mar. 12, reeling that runner in late to win by a length. With very little speed signed on here, Tepin could find herself in front from the jump.

Akatea (Ire) (Shamardal) is one of the aforementioned European invaders who could pose at least a minor threat to the big chalk. Campaigned in France by Wildenstein Stables and conditioner Alain de Royer-Dupre, the chestnut crossed the line second–only to later be DQ'd to 10th–in Deauville's G3 Prix de Lieurey in August. She finished second in Longchamp's G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Sept. 13, besting 2014 BC Mile winner Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein) in the process, and was last seen coming home a close third to '15 BC Mile sixth Impassable (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in Longchamp's G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein Oct. 3. Akatea will be sent out by the Christophe Clement barn on behalf of Joseph Allen LLC.

Wekeela (Fr) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) also makes her first North American start, representing Martin Schwartz and Chad Brown. Second in last May's G1 Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp, the former Jean-Claude Rouget pupil subsequently scored in Chantilly's G3 Prix Chloe the following month. Fifth in Deauville's G2 Prix de La Nonette Aug. 18, she was fourth in the G1 Prix de l'Opera Oct. 4.

Brown also sends out the last horse to defeat Tepin–Sheep Pond Partners and Bradley Thoroughbreds' Dacita (Chi) (Scat Daddy). The Chilean MGISW flew home impressively to nip Tepin in the GII Ballston Spa S. going this trip at the Spa Aug. 29, but was ninth over softer turf and more distance in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Turf here Oct. 31. She finished second to stablemate Olorda (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger})–who was one spot behind Wekeela in the Prix Saint-Alary–in Gulfstream's 9 1/2-panel GIII The Very One S. Mar. 5.