Kentucky-bred Hard to Justify swept to the lead in midstretch and then battled bravely between horses to post a narrow win in the 16th running of the $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) on Future Stars Friday at Santa Anita.

Owned by Wise Racing and trained by Chad Brown, Hard to Justify completed the mile over a firm turf course in 1:34.42 under jockey Flavien Prat. The win gave her trainer his sixth win in the prestigious race.

“She’s a very progressive horse who has proven she can overcome trouble,” said Brown. “She’s really very advanced for her age, mentally, and had that physical toughness to overcome a brutal trip in her first race—making a couple different runs during the race to get up. In her second race, she was forward and was always there for Flavien (Prat). He was excited to ride her here and liked her chances in the race. When we drew wide (post position No. 12), it was very disappointing. There was mild concern at the three-eighths marker when they started to stack up outside of her. I thought maybe that post would do her in, but I knew she had some fight in her.”

The victory was worth $520,000 and increased Hard to Justify’s bankroll to $687,750. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Justify is out of the Quality Road mare Instant Reflex. The chestnut filly was bred by Yeguada Centurion S.L. and was a $190,000 Keeneland September Sale graduate. Prior to winning the Juvenile Fillies Turf, Hard to Justify won the Miss Grillo S. (G2) during the Belmont at the Big A meet on Oct. 4.