Why the 2021 Apple Blossom rates as the race of the year

For a moment, this blog will glance backwards at the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn in April, a race that had everything fans and bettors wanted in only a six-horse field. The race resulted in a memorable duel between past and present, and the torch was passed on as well. 

When two or more racing superstars face off against each other, fans pay extra attention to the race, as well as the betting public. 

In this case, former Kentucky Oaks champion and two-time Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Monomoy Girl went up against reigning Preakness champion Swiss Skydiver. At first glance, it was a one-on-one dream match. 

But, the race had more than a matchup between the 6-year-old mare Monomoy Girl and 4-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver. It contained an intriguing 5-year-old mare named Letruska, who had displayed improved form without blinkers and showed some figures that could rival the top two.

In Letruska’s most recent race before the Apple Blossom, she finished second by a head to Shedaresthedevil, the 2020 Kentucky Oaks winner who also defeated Swiss Skydiver in that rescheduled Oaks at Churchill Downs.

With all that in mind, the Apple Blossom gave horse players three viable win options, as well as three also-rans to round out the field. Many bettors would single either Monomoy Girl or Swiss Skydiver, but a good amount of bettors were also planning to bet Letruska, including this one.

The pre-race discussion and debate created the perfect hype leading up to the race. Once raceday came and the gates opened, it was clear some early drama would happen in one direction or the other.

Initially, jockey Robby Albarado hustled Swiss Skydiver to the front, setting up the possibility of an early contested pace between her and Letruska.

Letruska did not break as sharp as Swiss Skydiver, but she headed to the front as well under Irad Ortiz Jr. while traveling a bit wide on the turn.

Albarado on Swiss Skydiver let Letruska cross over without a fight.

Meanwhile, Monomoy Girl came over on the right side of Swiss Skydiver to keep the Preakness winner boxed in and uncomfortable after the first turn.

On the backside, Ortiz on Letruska continued to “raceride” Swiss Skydiver. When Swiss Skydiver began to inch forward inside towards a possible opening, Letruska closed the gap once again in a compelling chess game.

As the three runners turned for home, Ortiz put the focus on battling Monomoy Girl to his outside, and he left an opening for Swiss Skydiver to shoot through. At this point though, Swiss Skydiver had nothing left and began to fade out of the picture in a prelude to struggling in her few races afterwards. 

Monomoy Girl had a good trip to this point and took the slight advantage in midstretch. Her large group of fans were probably excited by now, as it appeared Letruska’s early efforts to maintain the lead weakened her.

When Ortiz switched to the left-handed stick on Letruska though, she suddenly fought back and stared Monomoy Girl in the face again. The past and present star matched strides towards the wire, but Letruska won the head bob to prevail by a nose and start her own championship campaign.

Whether Letruska offered fair value at 3-1 depended on one’s view of her form. Ability-wise, she was within range of the Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver before the race. It is understandable if some thought 3-1 odds were a touch low though, or if others thought they took advantage of 3-1.

Letruska won four more graded stakes races after the Apple Blossom, including the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) and Spinster Stakes (G1) to pick up three more Grade 1 races before the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. The other win came in the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2).

In the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, a suicidal pace set by Private Mission ended Letruska’s chances, as well as any speed horse near the pacesetter.  

As for Monomoy Girl, the connections eventually decided to retire the star mare. Even if Letruska failed in the Breeders’ Cup, Monomoy Girl ended her career by passing the torch to a worthy division leader who won three more Grade 1 races afterwards, which is a fine way to go out.

Letruska is not retired yet and might still pick up a Breeders’ Cup Distaff trophy before her own career ends. When racing fans look back on Letruska’s career though, they will always remember the 2021 Apple Blossom the most and Letruska's hard work in order to earn the win. 

This blog rates the Apple Blossom as the 2021 Race of the Year. The race provided bettors with multiple options, rather than just a race to watch and study. It also gave fans who do not bet a thrilling matchup on paper. 

With help from her rider, Letruska outwitted a Preakness champion in Swiss Skydiver and outbattled a two-time Breeders’ Cup Distaff champion, as well as a former Kentucky Oaks winner, in Monomoy Girl.

The race will go down in history as one of the best editions ever of the Apple Blossom.