2019 Eclipse Awards: Blue Prize

A revised “wait for it” running style was the key to success for Blue Prize in 2019. It was also the theme of her campaign – start slow and finish fast.

After losing her first three starts of the year, Blue Prize turned it on late by winning her final three starts, including the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita. Combined with her second victory in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland, Blue Prize ended the season 3 for 6 and as an Eclipse finalist as outstanding older dirt female.

Blue Prize was bred in Argentina, where she won two of her first four starts, including a Group 1. She was transferred to Midwest-based trainer Ignacio Correas for her 2017 racing season for the Merriebelle Stable of John Moores and Charles Noell.

:: Full list of 2019 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories

The consistent Blue Prize ranked just below the division leaders much of her career. The 2018 Spinster was her first U.S. Grade 1, and the first time she teamed with jockey Joe Bravo. They ended 2018 finishing fourth in the BC Distaff. Something to build on.

The 6-year-old Blue Prize returned in May 2019 at Churchill Downs with a third in the Grade 1 La Troienne. She followed with a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap and another third in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap. It seemed she was not getting any better. Turns out, she was just getting warmed up.

“It took her a little bit more time,” Correas said. “Instead of a race or two, it took her three races to get back on track.”

Rather than face Midnight Bisou and Elate in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign in late August at Saratoga, Blue Prize dropped in class. Correas hoped the Summer Colony Stakes, a restricted race in mid-August at Saratoga, would provide a boost of confidence. Good call.

“It put her back in the winning mode,” Correas said.

While Blue Prize was expected to win as the odds-on favorite, the victory race also marked a change in strategy. The farther off the pace, the better.

“The difference is we went back to being five lengths off the pace, relaxing her, and making a run,” Correas said.

Blue Prize won the Summer Colony rallying from last, then turned right around and did it again.

Reunited with Bravo for the Spinster, Blue Prize rallied from behind a slow pace, and defeated Elate by a half-length. On to Santa Anita for the BC Distaff.

Blue Prize ran the race of her career. She and Bravo lagged far off the pace, got first run over Midnight Bisou, and scored a convincing victory by a length and one-half. Her 103 Beyer was a career best, and it was the first Breeders’ Cup victory for Correas and Bravo.

Days after the Breeders’ Cup, Blue Prize was sold at auction for $5 million to Larry Best. Blue Prize, by Pure Prize, will become a broodmare having won 10 races and $2,692,253 from 23 starts.