Flashback: 4 unforgettable Breeders’ Cup Distaff editions

In the 36 years since the inaugural running of the Breeders’ Cup in 1984, the Distaff has produced more than its fair share of memorable outcomes.

The 2020 Distaff is shaping up to be another exciting edition, with 2018 champion Monomoy Girl squaring off against recent Preakness winner Swiss Skydiver.

In anticipation of this potentially epic battle, let’s take a trip down memory lane and recall four unforgettable renewals of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

1988: Personal Ensign catches Winning Colors to retire undefeated

In many respects, the expected showdown in the 2020 Distaff is similar to the thrilling matchup of 1988, when the seven-time Grade 1-winning 4-year-old Personal Ensign squared off against 1988 Kentucky Derby champion Winning Colors in one of the greatest Breeders’ Cup races of all time.

Racing over a muddy track at Churchill Downs, the early advantage went to the front-running Winning Colors. She clearly relished the return to the site of her Derby triumph, splashing her way to a 2 1/2-length advantage through splits of :24 1/5, :47 4/5, and 1:12.

Meanwhile, Personal Ensign — seeking to retire undefeated in 13 starts — was seemingly struggling over the muddy track, rating about six or seven lengths behind the pacesetter. At the top of the stretch, it appeared Winning Colors was home free, with Personal Ensign only belatedly rallying into contention. At the eighth pole, a gap of four lengths still separated the two favorites.

But down the lane, Personal Ensign dug deep and found another gear. Somehow, she closed the gap, relentlessly charging just in time to prevail by a nose in 1:52 flat. Her performance was applauded, and she retired undefeated, the first major North American racehorse to achieve the feat since Colin in 1908.

1995: Inside Information shatters records in the mud

Which horse holds the record for the largest margin of victory in a Breeders’ Cup race? And which horse owns the fastest winning time in the history of the Distaff? Both records belong to the fleet filly Inside Information.

A 4-year-old trained by Shug McGaughey, Inside Information entered the 1995 Distaff as a five-time Grade 1 winner with 13 wins from 16 starts. Yet she wasn’t even the most accomplished runner representing her barn— McGaughey had also entered Heavenly Prize, winner of eight Grade 1 events and the champion 3-year-old filly of 1994.

Theoretically, Inside Information and Heavenly Prize could have waged an exciting showdown. Instead, Inside Information got out in front through quick splits of :45.90 and 1:09.42 … widened her lead around the far turn without any special urging from jockey Mike Smith … roared to a seven-length lead through a mile in 1:33.50 … and cruised to the finish line in 1:46.15 over a muddy track, trouncing Heavenly Prize by 13 1/2 lengths without ever being asked for her best effort.

Track announcer Tom Durkin described Inside Information’s performance as “a colossal victory.” Considering it still stands in the record book 25 years later, I can’t disagree.

2008: Zenyatta wins for fun against a deep field

Inside Information isn’t the only Distaff winner guided to victory by Mike Smith. The Hall of Fame jockey has won the Distaff five times, with one of his most memorable triumphs coming aboard the great Zenyatta.

Of course, when Zenyatta lined up in the Santa Anita starting gate for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (then known as the Ladies’ Classic), she wasn’t yet the star she would become. At the time, she had secured only three of her eventual 13 Grade 1 wins, and her spectacular triumph in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic was still on the distant horizon.

Instead, the Ladies’ Classic served as Zenyatta’s first opportunity to shine on a national stage. After trailing the field through splits of:23.71, :48.08, and 1:11.08, Zenyatta still had 7 1/2 lengths to gain with 3/8 of a mile remaining. For many horses, such a feat would have been impossible.

But Zenyatta repeatedly defied common sense with her heart-pounding late rallies, and the Ladies’ Classic was no exception. Lengthening her stride under a hand ride from Smith, Zenyatta closed the gap in the span of a quarter-mile, seizing command just before the eighth pole. From there, she flew home in :11.73 to score by a confident 1 1/2 lengths in 1:46.85.

Inside Information won by a larger margin, and with a faster time. But you can argue Zenyatta prevailed with equal ease.

2016: Beholder denies Songbird in a photo finish

By the time Beholder arrived at Santa Anita for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, she seemed to be in the process of winding down a stellar career. The 6-year-old mare had been winning Grade 1 races for five seasons, most notably nabbing the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, 2013 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and 2015 Pacific Classic.

But Beholder entered the 2016 Distaff off three straight defeats, prompting bettors to shift alliances and favor the undefeated 3-year-old Songbird, front-running winner of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Just as in 1988, the Distaff turned out to be a showdown between a sophomore star and an established older mare. And just as in 1988, the veteran won the day.

At first, Songbird appeared to have the race measured. Sprinting to the front through fractions of :23.32, :47.16, and 1:11.14, Songbird seemed relaxed and well in command as Beholder settled into a tracking position, as many as 3 1/2 lengths behind the early tempo.

But as the field turned for home, Beholder lengthened her stride and set off in pursuit of Songbird. Passing the eighth pole, filly and mare were racing on virtually even terms. Songbird was game to the finish line, holding her head in front until the final strides. But Beholder’s final drive was relentless, and by the slimmest of noses, she beat her young challenger to the finish line in 1:49.20.

Beholder — three Breeders’ Cup wins in five years. Such a combination of talent and durability had never been seen before, and it may be years before we see it again.

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. You can follow him on Twitter at @J_Keelerman.