Owner of Swiss Skydiver prefers Breeders' Cup Distaff

Owner Peter Callahan began considering Swiss Skydiver’s immediate and long-term future as soon as she tore through the second-fastest Preakness in history and became the sixth female to win the 1 3/16-mile race in its 145-year history.

While nothing is definite, Callahan, 78, is leaning heavily toward the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff rather than asking the former $35,000 yearling to take on males for the third time this season in the $6 million Classic. She earned fees-paid entry into the Classic in joining Rachel Alexandra as the only fillies to win the Preakness since 1924. Her previous Grade 1 triumph in the Alabama in mid-August had secured a Distaff berth.

As to whether Callahan will allow his throwback filly to compete at 4, he said he is revisiting that issue after initially intending to send her to white-hot stallion Into Mischief at the close of her brilliant sophomore season.

Callahan said he will closely monitor Swiss Skydiver’s condition in the days following what he described as “a fistfight for the ages.” He was referring, of course, to her stirring stretch duel with Kentucky Derby winner Authentic that denied Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record eighth Preakness triumph.

He also said he looked forward to conversations with trainer Ken McPeek to help him determine how best to conclude what has been an arduous yet highly successful nine-race campaign.

“We need to see how she does. He’s got to assess her, her recovery period,” Callahan said.

McPeek, appearing on Thoroughbred Los Angeles on Sunday morning, sounded as though he is intrigued by the enormous challenge the Classic would represent and expressed confidence about Swiss Skydiver’s staying power.

“I really like the mile and a quarter. I think that’s a great distance for her,” he told host Mike Willman. “But we’ll look at the competition and try and see where she fits best.”

Callahan, however, made clear his early preference for the Distaff, even if that means a confrontation with accomplished 5-year-old Monomoy Girl.

“Personally, I don’t think I want any part of the Classic,” he said. “It’s way too ambitious, I think.”

He appeared to be decidedly undecided about the prospect of allowing the daughter of Daredevil to compete in 2021.

“Do I want to campaign her at 4?” he asked rhetorically. “I am honestly thinking about that. I see lots of guys with horses at 4 having a ton of fun and making a few bucks, too. At this stage of my life, that wouldn’t be a bad tonic to get involved in. So it’s possible I will race her at 4. I will wait a little while to make that call.”

He went on, “The decision whether to race or not to race is loaded with financial considerations when you get up to this level. We want to be romantic. We want to be emotional. But we also need to be mindful of the valuations involved here.”

He said an immediate concern is making certain that his history-making filly is properly insured. He noted that his current policy, which values her at $1 million, is not nearly adequate.

“We’ve got to find an insurance market somewhere around the world that will give me some added protection,” he said.

Callahan expressed no regret about not attending one of the spectacular performances in Preakness history. He was content to watch with a few family members.

“We almost tore the roof down. It was bonkers. The stretch run was so exciting, wasn’t it?” he said.

“The two of them, the boy and the girl, going head to head and two jocks, not elderly jocks but let’s say over the top in their careers, fighting it out. It was wonderful. I hope non-racing enthusiasts watched it. I hope some of them convert. We could use a few more fans.”

Swiss Skydiver is certainly doing her part to create some converts. It remains to be seen, though, whether she will be able to build on her rising popularity or join the list of exciting 3-year-olds whisked to the breeding shed.