Trainer: Grade 1 winner Vexatious out of 2020 Breeders' Cup Distaff

Grade 1 winner Vexatious will not contest the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, trainer Jack Sisterson tweeted Friday afternoon.

The 6-year-old Giant’s Causeway mare “came up slightly off today,” causing connections to “defer to caution” and not run her in the Distaff, Sisterson said. The trainer went on to say that a 2021 campaign is now the goal for Vexatious.

Vexatious scored the biggest win of her career Aug. 1 at Saratoga in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes. Under jockey Jose Lezcano, she dug in to upset Midnight Bisou in what turned out to be the final start of that now-retired champion’s career.

Sisterson ran Vexatious in Grade 1 company again Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs in the La Troienne. She faced another champion mare in Monomoy Girl but never mounted a challenge and came home fifth.

Vexatious has worked five times at Keeneland since her defeat in the La Troienne, most recently breezing four furlongs Oct. 17 in :50.20.

Calumet Farm campaigns Vexatious, who sports a 24: 4-3-7 record with $738,535 earned.

This week, HRN put 30-1 odds on Vexatious for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, which will run Nov. 7 at Keeneland. Monomoy Girl is a 7-5 favorite, per HRN odds, with Preakness Stakes winner Swiss Skydiver – who could run in either the Classic or Distaff – a 5-2 second choice.

2020 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1)