Breeders' Cup Distaff: Stellar Wind makes three a crowd
ARCADIA, Calif. – Remember when the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Distaff was shaping up as essentially a two-horse race between the undefeated Songbird and three-time champion Beholder?
Scratch that.
Stellar Wind’s highly rated win in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes last Saturday was her second over Beholder and triggered a revision in the Daily Racing Form preliminary Distaff odds. Songbird remains 5-2; Beholder and Stellar Wind are co-second choices at 7-2.
It took three starts this year to consider Stellar Wind a leader in the Distaff division. “She didn’t breeze right to the top, she had to bully her way in there,” trainer John Sadler said. “She’s the new one; she’s the up-and-comer.”
Stellar Wind defeated Beholder by a neck in the Zenyatta at Santa Anita, running 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.80. Both earned a 110 Beyer Speed Figure, the year’s highest figure by a filly or mare.
Was it too fast? “In an ideal world, you hope the last prep is a little easier,” Sadler said. “Even though it was a harder prep than you wished, she is still a relatively fresh horse. She’s had three races [this year]; she hasn’t had six.”
A light-framed chestnut, Stellar Wind began her campaign June 4, rallying for second behind Beholder in the Grade 1 Vanity at Santa Anita. In two subsequent starts, Stellar Wind and jockey Victor Espinoza employed a more aggressive strategy. Stellar Wind took the fight to Beholder early, pressing her rival and inched ahead.
“The last two races, you had to do it. I told Victor, ‘Don’t wait for somebody else,’ ” Sadler said. “You cannot let Beholder cruise around there.”
They may have learned something. Espinoza was pushing Stellar Wind on the far turn. It may be how Stellar Wind prefers to be handled. “That is absolutely possible,” Sadler said. “Because the races were so good, [perhaps] that’s the way she wants to be ridden.”
Over the next month, Sadler will try to keep Stellar Wind on an upward trajectory. It will be easier said than done, considering her physique. Stellar Wind does not carry extra weight. “That’s just her frame. She’s kind of elegant and feminine,” Sadler said. “She’s got that chestnut part of Curlin and some refinement. That’s her make.”
◗ The facile victory by Forever Unbridled last weekend at Belmont Park in the Grade 1 Beldame validated the form of Cavorting and Curalina, the one-two finishers in front of Forever Unbridled in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on Aug. 27 at Saratoga. All three are targeting the Distaff; Cavorting and Curalina will train into the race.
◗ I’m a Chatterbox is expected to start favored Sunday at Keeneland in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes, the final Win and You’re In for the Distaff. I’m a Chatterbox finished fourth in the Personal Ensign last time out.
◗ Songbird was scheduled to breeze a half-mile Thursday at Santa Anita, her first workout since winning the Grade 1 Cotillion on Sept. 24 at Parx.
◗ The Distaff will be race 9 on Friday, Nov. 4, at Santa Anita, according to a press release from the Breeders’ Cup. Post time for the Distaff is 4:35 p.m. Pacific. Races 6, 7, and 8 will be the Juvenile Turf, Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Dirt Mile. The order will be determined later.