Breeders' Cup Distaff field gaining strength

The growing possibility Princess of Sylmar and Close Hatches both might start has dramatically altered the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and changed it from a small-field procession into a race that would be among the most eagerly anticipated of 2013.

Confirmed starters as recently as a week ago included only three – Royal Delta, Beholder and Authenticity. That small-but-mighty group might be getting a lot stronger. Four-time Grade 1 winner Princess of Sylmar and two-time Grade 1 winner Close Hatches are back in the picture.

Princess of Sylmar, 3, was expected to call it a season after her fourth straight Grade 1 on Sept. 28, a two-length Beldame victory over Royal Delta in her first start against older.

However, Princess of Sylmar’s trainer, Todd Pletcher, and owner, Ed Stanco, never completely closed the door on the Distaff. And now the door is opening wider.

“She’s doing well,” Pletcher said Sunday. “I told (Stanco) there’s no urgency to make a decision right now. See how she trains, take it day by day. If she has a good week, we’ll probably breeze her next weekend. It’ll give us more information.”

Princess of Sylmar’s four-race win streak comprises the Kentucky Oaks, Coaching Club American Oaks, Alabama, and Beldame. She has won 6 of 7 this year, and gives no indication of tailing off.

“Haven’t seen any signs of it yet,” Pletcher said. “She’s doing very well. If that wasn’t the case, we wouldn’t be considering it.”

Princess of Sylmar would require a $100,000 nomination fee to be made eligible to the Breeders' Cup.

Princess of Sylmar, who will race next year, is not the only 3-year-old filly doing well and also being considered for the Distaff. Close Hatches won the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 21, her first start since winning the Grade 1 Mother Goose on June 22.

Close Hatches is trained by Bill Mott, and owned by Juddmonte Farms. Racing manager Garrett O’Rourke said last week no decision had been made regarding the Distaff. But early indications are that she is headed to the race.

“After the Cotillion, we had two choices – either put her away for the year, or watch and see about the Breeders’ Cup,” O’Rourke said. “There’s really no pressure. After her next two works, if everything
were to go well . . .”

Close Hatches took a step toward the Distaff by working a half-mile on Oct. 5 at Belmont in 49.80, breezing. Like Princess of Sylmar, Close Hatches is also expected to race next year at age 4.

Other fringe candidates are emerging for the Distaff. California-based Wittgenstein, runner-up to Beholder at Del Mar on Sept. 1, is being considered. Street Girl, third in the Cotillion, is expected to cross-enter the Distaff and Filly & Mare Sprint.

Pure Fun won the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks on Saturday at Indiana Downs. Trainer Ken McPeek said Monday that Pure Fun has not been completely ruled out of the Distaff.

The Grade 1 Spinster on Sunday at Keeneland, a Win and In for the BC Distaff, was won by Emollient. A specialist on turf and synthetic, Emollient will not run in the Distaff.

- additional reporting by David Grening