Monomoy Girl much the best in La Troienne

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It would be fair to say that Monomoy Girl never met a Kentucky Oaks Day she didn’t like – but there aren’t many racing days, period, the superstar mare hasn’t found to her liking.

Getting a cool-headed ride from Florent Geroux, Monomoy Girl proved clearly best in the 35th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 La Troienne, which preceded the Kentucky Oaks on a 13-race Friday card at fan-free Churchill Downs. It was the 13th time the 5-year-old mare has finished first in a brilliant 14-race career that includes a victory in the 2018 Oaks and surely has her on the threshold of a Hall of Fame candidacy.

“What she’s accomplished the last 2 1/2 or three years is amazing,” said Brad Cox, who trains Monomoy Girl for the partnership of Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables. “She’s a true champion.”

Monomoy Girl was the Eclipse Award winner in the 3-year-old filly division in 2018 after capping her season with a triumph over older horses in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Churchill. The Distaff at Keeneland is the year-end goal for 2020 for the chestnut daughter of Tapizar, although Cox said whether or not she’ll have an interim prep before that Nov. 7 race will have to be determined in due course.

Monomoy Girl, the 2-5 favorite in a field of eight fillies and mares, was hung a few paths wide into the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile La Troienne while Lady Kate and Risky Mandate sped away from her, but Geroux had no real worries. The jockey got her into a smooth rhythm as they made their way down the backstretch a clear third, some five lengths off the lead.

Into the far turn, Monomoy Girl easily went past Risky Mandate while beginning to get to Lady Kate without being asked, and by the top of the stretch, they were on even terms. Down the stretch, Monomoy Girl asserted her superiority, finishing in 1:42.14 over a fast surface. She returned $2.80 to win.

“There was no doubt,” said Geroux, who has ridden Monomoy Girl in all but her career debut. “She gave us every indication in the morning that she was back at a top level. There is no doubt she is a champion horse and definitely a horse of a lifetime.”

Lady Kate, a 17-1 shot under Javier Castellano, held second in a gritty effort, 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner and another 2 3/4 lengths before Horologist. Saracosa was fourth and was followed in order by Vexatious, She’s a Julie, With Dignity, and Risky Mandate.

Monomoy Girl has finished first in all but one start. She was beaten a neck in the 2017 Golden Rod and was disqualified after crossing under the wire first in the 2018 Cotillion. She did not race at 4 owing to separate incidents involving severe colic and a pulled gluteal muscle. She is now 3 for 3 this year after winning a Churchill allowance in May and the Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont Park in July.

“Since April at Keeneland is when she basically took off,” said Cox. “I’ve just been extremely happy with how she’s doing. I thought she was every bit as good then as she was a 3-year-old, and she’s continued to train that way through the spring and summer. We’ve led her over for three races now in 2020 and she gives us a lot of confidence every time.”

The $2 exacta (8-7) paid $23.60, the $1 trifecta (8-7-1) returned $57.10, and the 10-cent superfecta (8-7-1-4) was worth $43.52.