Spinster suddenly looms large for Breeders' Cup Distaff

It has been 34 years since the grand vision of John Gaines came to fruition with the very first running of the Breeders' Cup. No horse shined brighter on that November afternoon at Hollywood Park than the great mare Princess Rooney. A winner of 17-of-21 lifetime, the gray daughter of Verbatim absolutely crushed her competition in the inaugural edition of the Breeders' Cup Distaff. A sharp victory in the Grade 1 Spinster, as her final prep, sent the Hall of Fame mare to the World Championships ready to produce an explosive performance.

Flash forward to 2018, and it certainly didn't appear likely that this year's prestigious race at Keeneland would have much bearing on the top spots in the Distaff. But suddenly, Sunday's nine furlong affair is looking to be a crucial prep.

A few months ago, the older mare division appeared primed and ready. Unfortunately, Unique Bella was soon retired. Then, after a bang-up stretch run in the Personal Ensign, Elate came out of the battle less than 100%. This left Abel Tasman as the big girl of the division. But a flop in the Zenyatta Stakes gives her questions heading to the Breeders' Cup. Of course, we still have the soon to be 3-year-old filly champion, Monomoy Girl, as the remaining favorite for the Distaff.

Yes, the daughter of Tapizar has enjoyed a marvelous season in 2018, but her recent loss by disqualification in the Cotillion would seem to show at least a reasonable amount of vulnerability heading to the first Saturday of November. Keep in mind that her 'all over the stretch' run at Parx followed her lowest speed figure of the year in winning the Coaching Club American Oaks the race beforehand. Her rival from both of those races, and the Kentucky Oaks, as well, Midnight Bisou, also merits plenty of respect come Breeders' Cup. Still, neither filly looks like a dominant figure for the big one.

Enter the Spinster. With the biggest names either retired, on the shelf, or quite possibly regressing, there are a number of females running on the opening weekend of Keeneland who could have a big say on what is traditionally one of the best races on the Breeders' Cup card.

Let's start with Eskimo Kisses, who broke out in a big way in her latest start. The occasion was the historic Alabama Stakes at Saratoga, and the Kenny McPeek-trained filly used the big stage to turn in a huge last-to-first performance in the Grade 1 race.

While it's true that the daughter of To Honor and Serve has not exactly been a winning machine, having been beaten in her first four stakes tries before the Alabama, she was a consistent closer before that. The breakout run at the Spa points her out as a young filly on the improve, and a similar run in the Spinster could actually send her to the Distaff as one to beat.

Two of the horses Eskimo Kisses blew by that day it Saratoga have already come back to win: Midnight Bisou by DQ in the Cotillion, and She's a Julie in Sunday night's Remington Park Oaks.

Another from the Alabama is Talk Veuve to Me. On the surface, her fourth-place finish last out appears to fall short when we are talking Breeders' Cup. But remember, the Rodolphe Brisset trainee set a very fast pace that day. It's no wonder that she tired late in the 10-furlong race. The lightly raced filly now cuts back in distance for the Spinster, and I am expecting a big performance on Sunday, setting her up nicely for the Distaff.

Finally, another major contender for both the Spinster and the Breeders' Cup Distaff is Blue Prize. An import from Argentina, she has been a bit of a work in progress at the highest level since arriving from her native land. Third in the Spinster last year, the 5-year-old mare seems to be getting better and better this year.

She's won two straight stakes, but perhaps most importantly, as we look ahead to the World Championships, she loves Churchill Downs. In the last 11 months, Blue Prize has won three straight stakes at the host track of the Breeders' Cup, including a romping win in the Fall City last November.

Led by these top three, Sunday's Spinster at Keeneland should be an interesting and competitive affair. Considering everything that has happened recently, it just might also produce a Breeders' Cup Distaff winner.