Breeders’ Cup Distaff 2018: Projected field, odds
The 2018 Breeders’ Cup Distaff is shaping up as a race between the best older filly versus the top 3-year-old. With both Unique Bella and Elate out, it also leaves some pieces of the race up for grabs. The Distaff is carded for Saturday, Nov. 3, at Churchill Downs and will be run at 1 1/8 miles.
Below is a look at the projected field and odds, which will not balance given the field isn’t set, but rather reflect the type of price we expect a horse to go off at on race day.
Abel Tasman, 5-2 (Quality Road – Bob Baffert – 15:8-4-0 – $2,793,385): Abel Tasman flopped in the Zenyatta Stakes (G1), but Baffert said the 4-year-old looked like her old self in a recenet workout. She also bounced back from a defeat in the La Troienne (G1) to win the Ogden Phipps (G1), and she nearly won the Distaff last year at 3. The distance is no problem, as she also won last year's Kentucky Oaks at nine furlongs.
Blue Prize, 8-1 (Pure Prize – Ignacio Correas IV – 16:7-7-1 – $964,753): Blue Prize has only missed the board once in her entire career and has blossomed at age 5 this year. She also seems to love Churchill Downs and is riding a three-race winning streak after taking Keeneland's Grade 1 Spinster in her final prep.
Champagne Problems, 20-1 (Ghostzapper – Ian Wilkes – 20:5-5-4 – $380,284): Champagne Problems has stepped up to her best form, breaking through in the Groupie Doll (G3) at Ellis Park before running close seconds to Blue Prize in the Locust Grove (G3) and Spinster.
Divine Miss Grey, 30-1 (Divine Park – Danny Gargan – 21:10-5-1 – $683,672): This former claimer has become a multiple stakes winner and is Grade 1-placed having run second to Wow Cat in the Beldame (G1). Although it was her best performance yet, she hasn’t met the major players.
Eskimo Kisses, 15-1 (To Honor and Serve – Kenny McPeek – 11:3-4-0 – $700,602): After a few promising races, this 3-year-old filly broke through to win the Alabama Stakes (G1) before a disappointing seventh in the Spinster. The more early pace the better for this late runner.
Fuhriously Kissed, 30-1 (Langfuhr – Anthony Quartarolo – 22:4-3-4 – $397,987): Loooch Racing likes to run in the big races, and this Grade 1-placed mare has continued to run in graded stakes company. She was fourth in the Spinster last out following an allowance win at Thistledown.
La Force, 15-1 (Power – Patrick Gallagher – 22:2-7-4 – $370,800): Don’t let only two wins fool you. This German-bred, a former Italian runner, has taken off after switching to dirt. She’s been second in three straight Grade 1 California races, twice behind Unique Bella and most recently to Vale Dori in the Zenyatta.
Midnight Bisou, 5-1 (Midnight Lute – Steve Asmussen – 10:5-3-2 – $1,385,000): Midnight Bisou almost caught Monomoy Girl for the first time in the Cotillion Stakes (G1) and was awarded the win for interference. It was a big improvement from her Alabama run, and she could progress even more. Jockey Mike Smith will likely stick with Abel Tasman.
Monomoy Girl, 3-1 (Tapizar – Brad Cox – 10:8-2-0 – $1,854,750): Monomoy Girl will be the favorite among the 3-year-old fillies. Other than her disqualification in the Cotillion you can’t knock her, as she’s picked up Grade 1 after Grade 1. She’ll also have the home track advantage and won the Oaks at this distance.
Vale Dori, 12-1 (Asiatic Boy – Bob Baffert – 21:10-6-2 – $1,365,567): After looking like she might have tailed off, Vale Dori came back to upset the Zenyatta in blinkers and picked up her second Grade 1 win. It was the performance she needed to earn her way back into Distaff contention.
Wonder Gadot, 15-1 (Medaglia d’Oro – Mark Casse – 15:5-4-4 – $1,492,461): Other than a rough go in the Travers (G1), Wonder Gadot has done a fantastic job finishing in the money every race this year and beat up on the boys in Canada. She was third in the Cotillion but beaten over 10 lengths. The Oaks runner-up will need to show a reverse in form if she goes in the Distaff.
Wow Cat, 10-1 (Lookin At Lucky – Chad Brown – 11:9-1-1 – $696,977): Undefeated in her native Chile, Wow Cat broke through in North America when she won the Beldame with ease making her third U.S. start. She was also third behind a dueling Abel Tasman and Elate in the Personal Ensign (G1).
Also possible: Farrell, Mopotism, Pacific Wind