2014 Breeders' Cup Distaff Pre-entries
Thirteen horses were pre-entered for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff to be run October 31st, but it was one horse not entered that drew quite a buzz. After a workout last Sunday, Beholder spiked a fever and subsequently declared from the Distaff. The 4-year-old daughter of Henny Hughes was attempting to become only the second runner to win three Breeders’ Cup races (Goldikova).
Here is how the field is shaping up, and how they are preparing for racing’s World Championships.
Following her front-running romp in the Beldame (G1), Belle Gallantey was on the fence as to whether she would compete in the Distaff, but the decision was made last week to make the cross-country trip. Since her victory at Belmont Park, Belle Gallantey returned to her home base at Aqueduct and breezed four furlongs in 50 4/5 on 10/10. She followed that work seven days later with a bullet five furlongs in 1:02 1/5 breezing .
After her fourth-place flop in the Spinster (G1) at odds of 1/5, Close Hatches returned to Belmont and breezed four furlongs in 49 4/5 on 10/19. Take note though that of trainer Bill Mott’s 5 Distaff victories, only one runner won their start prior to the Breeders' Cup (Royal Delta 2012).
Don’t Tell Sophia earned her place in the Distaff starting gate by upsetting Close Hatches in the Spinster. After her first Grade 1 victory, the $1,000 yearling purchase stayed at Keeneland to put the final touches on her training by breezing four furlongs in 48 4/5 on 10/19.
Though pre-entered, Bob Baffert trainee, Fiftyshadesofhay, has not set foot on the track since a disappointing fifth-place effort in the Beldame on 9/27.
After breaking slow in the Zenyatta Stakes (G1), front-runner Iotapa checked in third, despite deviating from her game plan. The former claimer is the West Coast's best chance to keep the Distaff title at home. Since the Zenyatta, Iotapa has been working steadily at Santa Anita Park toward her chance at Breeders’ Cup glory (4 furlongs in 49 4/5 handily on 10/6, 5 furlongs in 1:00 2/5 handily on 10/13 and 6 furlongs in 1:12 handily on 10/20).
Kentucky-bred L’Amore de Ma Vie invades from Europe without ever racing on dirt. To call her participation in the Distaff surprising would be an understatement. Expect the 5-year-old Dansili mare to compete in the Filly and Mare Turf.
Molly Morgan is a cut below the best, but could pick up a piece late should a fast pace develop. She was third last out behind Don’t Tell Sophia in the Spinster. Since that effort she breezed four furlongs in 50 seconds on 10/18.
Parranda hails from the potent Jerry Hollendorfer barn, but has never run on a fast dirt track in 27 career starts. She has been training steadily at Santa Anita, but expect her to run in the Filly and Mare Turf after her runner-up effort in the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1) behind Emollient.
Last year’s Juvenile Fillies winner via disqualification, Ria Antonia, is winless in eight tries this year, while spending time in three different barns. Last out she won the battle against Close Hatches, but lost the war when a game 2nd to Don’t Tell Sophia in the Spinster. Following that effort, Ria Antonia fired a 5-furlong-breezing bullet in 59 4/5 at Keeneland.
Stopchargingmaria was second in her first start against her elders when soundly defeated by Belle Gallantey in the Beldame. Since that effort, she has not been seen on the worktab, so approach with caution.
Tiz Midnight enters the distaff off a gutsy runner-up finish behind Beholder in the Zenyatta Stakes. With only 7 lifetime starts the Bob Baffert entrant is the least experienced of all runners, but is a main contender off that last performance. She has been working well in preparation for her biggest test to date (4 furlongs in 49 1/5 on 10/6, 5 furlongs in 59 4/5 on 10/13 and 6 furlongs in 1:12 2/5 on 10/19).
3-year-old filly divisional leader, Untapable, will vie for favoritism with Close Hatches following her victory in the Cotillion (G1) at Parx on 9/20. Undefeated in 5 starts against her own sex this season with her only defeat coming in the Haskell (G1), Untapable has already had 3 works at Santa Anita to get herself acclimated with the surface. Her last was a bullet five furlongs in 58 3/5 seconds handily on 10/19.
Valiant Emilia was transferred to Gary Mandella’s barn after capturing the “Win and You’re In” Clasico Cesar Del Rio in Peru on 6/22. The 5-year-old mare has won 11 of 23 lifetime starts, but only $81,667, hinting this is a severe step up in class to say the least. In order to acclimate to American racing, Valiant Emilia has worked over the Santa Anita strip seven times since 9/3.