49-1 long shot Marche Lorraine stuns Breeders' Cup Distaff

Del Mar, Calif.

Make it a double for Japan and trainer Yoshito Yahagi at the 2021 Breeders’ Cup.

Three races after Loves Only You became the first Japan-based horse to win in the event’s 38-year history when taking the Filly & Mare Turf, Marche Lorraine became the second to do so when winning a thrilling edition of the $2 million Distaff at 49-1. Japanese-based horses had been 0-for-16 in the Breeders’ Cup prior to Loves Only You’s tally.

Marche Lorraine and European champion jockey Oisin Murphy were near the rear of the field as Private Mission blazed a pace of 21.84, 44.97 and 1:09.70 for six furlongs with favorite Letruska pressing on her outside under Irad Ortiz Jr. The sharp pace would prove to be too much for those in the front.

Marche Lorraine began to steadily make up ground on the backstretch and drew into contention leaving the second turn as the speed horses started to fade. Also rallying from off the pace came Dunbar Road, who was third in last year’s Distaff for trainer Chad Brown.

Marche Lorraine and Dunbar Road commenced to battle for the final 100 yards with Marche Lorraine earning the narrowest of victories as the third-longest shot on the board.

“Maybe I moved a little too early, but I thought if I didn’t move early I would get pushed wide around the turn,” Murphy said. “She was tough up the straight.”

Dunbar Road finished a half length ahead of third-place finisher Malathaat with Clairiere rounding out the superfecta.

“I need to watch the replay – it’s a tough beat,” Brown said. “I thought we got the head bob there. It’s probably the toughest loss I’ve ever had. It’s just a shame because it’s two years in a row she really should have won the Distaff.”

Letruska finished 10th, beating only Private Mission to the wire. The likely champion older dirt female this year based off her four Grade 1 victories was the victim of the pace, trainer Fausto Gutierrez said.

“When it’s 21 and 44, it’s impossible to run with those fractions,” he said.

Marche Lorraine, a 5-year-old mare by Japanese stallion Orfeve, entered the Distaff with three wins in five starts this year in her native country. Most recently, she won the Aug. 12 Breeders’ Gold Cup at Mombetsu.

The full order of finish was: Marche Lorraine, Dunbar Road, Malathaat, Clairiere, Royal Flag, Shedaresthedevil, Blue Stripe, As Time Goes By, Horologist, Letruska, and Private Mission.