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Although the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) has produced three of the eight highest-priced winners in the event’s history, the race for fillies and mares has in fact been one of the most consistent of the original seven races. That record of consistency began with the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Hollywood Park in 1984. Princess Rooney, winner of the Vanity Handicap (G1) and Spinster Stakes (G1) in prior starts, went off as the 7-to-10 favorite and rolled to a seven-length victory. |
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n subsequent editions, the Distaff generally was characterized by dominant winners scoring by open lengths. In fact, Inside Information’s 13 1/2-length win in 1995 remains the series’ largest winning margin. Azeri waltzed away to a five-length victory in 2002 to lock up a Horse of the Year title, and Lady’s Secret won by 2 1/2 lengths in 1986, her Horse of the Year season. Odds-on favorites have won the race seven times.
The 1988 running remains one of the most memorable of all Breeders’ Cup races. Undefeated Personal Ensign, seemingly beaten at the sixteenth pole, closed relentlessly on Winning Colors, that year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, and put her nose in front at the wire to close out her career undefeated in 13 starts.
In 14 of 22 years, both the champion three-year-old filly and older female have competed in the Distaff.
Supplemental entries, principally top-quality mares from South America, have had excellent success in the Distaff. Bayakoa (Arg), supplemented for $200,000 in 1989 and ‘90, won both years. Paseana (Arg), supplemented in 1992 and ‘93, won in her first try and finished second by a nose to Hollywood Wildcat in ‘93.
The biggest upset in Distaff history occurred in 2000, when dominant West Coast mare Riboletta (Brz) ran seventh as the 2-to-5 favorite. Racing Hall of Fame members who have contested the race are Princess Rooney, Lady’s Secret, Personal Ensign, Winning Colors, Bayakoa, Go for Wand, Dance Smartly, Paseana, and Serena’s Song. |
