Breeders' Cup Distaff: Longshot Blue Stripe ready this time around
ARCADIA, Calif. – Even while the number of Breeders’ Cup Distaff runners dwindled to a probable field of seven, the Argentine mare Blue Stripe is in the same position as last year – among the least-fancied in the Distaff field.
The difference this time is she actually has a chance. One year after she finished seventh at 53-1 in the BC Distaff at Del Mar, which was an ambitious spot for her first start in North America and first start in six months, Blue Stripe will try again Nov. 5 in the Distaff at Keeneland. Circumstances are less daunting for the Group 1 winner from Argentina.
Blue Stripe is now fully acclimated to the Northern Hemisphere; she has been here a year and a half. Her form is current, having won Grade 1 and Grade 2 races this year in California. Finally, trainer Marcelo Polanco understands what makes the 5-year-old tick.
“I was learning about her [last year],” he said. “I didn’t know the filly, without a race for me. I saw all the videos from Argentina, and they were pretty impressive. But now I know how she runs. And we don’t have to worry about acclimatizing, she is already acclimated.’
It took a year to come around, which is not unusual for South American imports. And this season, Blue Stripe rose to the head of the class in California. She returned from a five-month layoff to win the Grade 2 Santa Margarita in April at Santa Anita, followed two starts later by a decisive win in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch in August at Del Mar. A three-month break into the Distaff is fine. “We’re comfortable with that,” Polanco said.
Blue Stripe’s figures are several points behind the favorites, but her condition, class, and pedigree command attention. A sibling to 2019 Distaff winner Blue Prize, Blue Stripe worked a sharp five furlongs Monday at Santa Anita, 59.60 under jockey Hector Berrios. She ships Sunday to Keeneland, where she will face a small but select Distaff field.
The expected lineup, in order of Daily Racing Form preliminary odds, includes Nest, Irad Ortiz; Malathaat, John Velazquez; Search Results, Flavien Prat; Clairiere, Joel Rosario; Society, Florent Geroux; Secret Oath, Luis Saez; and Blue Stripe, Berrios.
Defections include Shedaresthedevil, who has not raced since August and as of midweek did not have a recorded workout since Sept. 24. Army Wife and Played Hard, two-three behind Malathaat in the Grade 1 Spinster, are no longer being considered for the Distaff.
A seven-runner Distaff field would be the smallest since 2013, when Beholder won a six-runner Distaff at Santa Anita. Blue Stripe is listed 20-1 by DRF, but Polanco believes the mare’s best race is still ahead.
“We decided to give her a firm workout [Monday] to wake her up, and she did everything perfect,” Polanco said. “She knows what to do on the track. Right now, she’s on top of her game.”
Blue Stripe, owned by Poza de Luna, has won six races and $461,882 from 10 starts. She will try to join three previous Distaff winners from South America: Bayakoa (1989-90), Paseana (1992), and Blue Prize.
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