La Force under consideration for Breeders' Cup Distaff

Having notched her third consecutive runner-up finish in Sunday’s Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes, La Force now has a chance to head to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff run Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Paddy Gallagher said Monday that La Force exited the Zenyatta in “good shape,” and connections will wait to see if the 4-year-old make it into the Distaff on points before making a decision to ship her.

The final major Breeders' Cup Distaff prep, the Juddmonte Spinster (G1), runs Sunday at Keeneland. 

“We look at those races and see what the points are, see if the filly gets into the race – the Breeders’ Cup Distaff,” Gallagher said.

La Force was bred in Germany and started her racing career in Italy at 2 before Roberta and Ward Williford and Chuck Winner purchased her. She originally stuck to turf before making the switch to dirt last fall. 

This season, the 4-year-old filly has been knocking on the door for a win at the top level. She ran second to Unique Bella in both the Beholder Mile (G1) and the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) before finishing one spot behind Vale Dori in the Zenyatta. Favorite Abel Tasman, the Distaff leader, was a puzzling fifth.

Regarding La Force’s successful season, Gallagher said, “I think it’s just a case of we tried her on the dirt and she seems to have taken it and stayed very consistent.”