Best filly or mare to never win an Eclipse is a hard one.
Three viable options I can think of.
* Bold 'N Determined (8-for-8 lifetime in two turn dirt route races. 7-for-7 lifetime in Grade 1 races run on fast dirt tracks. 12-11-1-0 lifetime in all dirt route races. Only filly or mare to ever beat Kentucky Derby winning filly Genuine Risk on a fast track. Was passed in the stretch, but came again to beat GR by a nose in the Grade 1 Maskette at one-mile.
or
* Melair (who was the most talented of any fillies to never win an Eclipse)
or
* Sharp Cat (who was far more accomplished than lightly raced Melair, and probably more brilliant than the incredibly gritty Bold 'N Determined.
|