Breeders' Cup Distaff: Lady Kate emerges as clear pacesetter
A key element missing from the Breeders’ Cup Distaff has finally been found. Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver remain favorites, but the unanswered question – who will set the pace? – became clear only after the list of 11 Distaff pre-entries was released this week.
Longshot front-runner Lady Kate will show the way, and though she is a reach to stay 1 1/8 miles, her role as pacesetter is clear. Furthermore, a gate-to-wire upset is not unprecedented. Lady Kate could shake loose, same as Distaff pacesetters Adoration ($83.40) in 2003 at Santa Anita and One Dreamer ($96.20) in 1994 at Churchill Downs.
The 2020 Distaff was devoid of true speed until Lady Kate re-entered the picture. The week after she finished fourth in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland, trainer Eddie Kenneally said she would not run in the Distaff. Lady Kate’s vibes caused Kenneally to reconsider.
“She regressed in the Spinster, but she’s done really, really well since then,” Kenneally said this week from Kentucky. “She had a really good work [Oct. 23 at Churchill Downs]. We decided we’d stay in and give a shot because she’s doing so well.”
Kenneally also did his homework and acknowledged the lack of speed in the Distaff was a factor. Lady Kate, runner-up to Monomoy Girl two back in the Grade 1 La Troienne, is 20-1 on the Daily Racing Form early line for the $2 million Distaff on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.
Monomoy Girl, the 2018 Distaff winner prior to being sidelined a year and a half, is the DRF favorite at 2-1. Her starting odds – low or lower – depend on whether Swiss Skydiver runs in the Distaff or takes on older males in the BC Classic.
Brad Cox trains Monomoy Girl, whose three-start 2020 campaign includes wins in the La Troienne and Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont Park. Over the course of her career, Monomoy Girl finished in front of 100 of 101 rivals. When she won the 2018 Distaff, Monomoy Girl was facing older for the first time. Her main foe would be trying the same this year.
Swiss Skydiver upset the Grade 1 Preakness last out, her sixth win from 11 starts. Trainer Ken McPeek plans to wait until the last minute to decide if she starts as second choice in the Distaff or goes in the Classic. Post positions will be drawn Monday.
Ollie’s Candy, runner-up in the Spinster, is third choice on the DRF line. Though winless since July 2019, Ollie’s’ Candy placed in five successive Grade 1’s this year, including an uneasy trip in the Spinster. She was visibly uncomfortable inside and behind horses.
“She looked a little tentative on that track the first part of the race. I think it’s going to help her having had a race over it,” trainer John Sadler said. “We’re saving our luck for the big day. She’s due for some.”
Harvest Moon, winner of the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita last out in her fifth career start, would be the least experienced winner in Distaff history. Simon Callaghan trains Harvest Moon.
Distaff pre-entrants also include Spinster winner Valiance and Horologist, who won the Grade 2 Beldame over pre-entrants Point of Honor and Dunbar Road. Ce Ce was a two-time Grade 1 winner in spring before tailing off. Harvey’s Lil Goil is cross-entered in the Filly and Mare Turf.