G1, Breeders’ Bowl Distaff: Can “Take The Moon LV” successfully defend her title?
Kentucky (KY)
Saturday, November 7, 2020 — 2:30:00 PM EST | Race ID : 2358147
Breeders’ Bowl Distaff
Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $3,000,000
Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older 9 Furlongs | ~1800 Meters | One Mile and and One Eighth Fast Dirt
It is once again that time of the season when many of the best horses are brought together to compete in the Breeders’ Bowl. This is always an excite event for all owners and trainers as they bring in some of the best horses in their stables to try and win a trip to the winners circle in one of the biggest events of the year. This year I will be covering the G1, Breeders’ Bowl Distaff. This race will be on the Fast Dirt at a distance of 9 furlongs. This race is for 3 year old and older Fillies and Mares Only of which a full field of fourteen of the top qualifiers will set course to add this prestigious win to their résumé. This should be an exciting race and we have a very nice looking field of horses this year of which all have their shot to come out on top and find their way to the winners circle at the conclusion. The odds makers have selected their morning line and the post positions have been drawn for the race. Let us now take a preview of the fourteen fillies and mares that will be running in this year’s G1, Breeders’ Bowl Distaff.
| 1 | BERNING BLADE | KY | 3F | aryahound | O A Haack | 15 | 6 | 73% | $1,227,172 | 98.00 | 26/1 |
Coming out of the first gate will be this three year old Bay Filly sired by Bernardini. Her last two outing have both been in New York where she performed quite well for her owner. On 07/18/2020 she ran 10 furlongs in New York in the G1, Players Club National Oaks. She closed nicely after the third call to find herself on the boards in third. She then came back out for her most recent trip to the track in New York where again she traveled 10 furlongs in the G1, Birmingham Stakes. It was to be her day when from over seven lengths back at the third call she was ask to run and she responded down the stretch to make it to the wire first for a 1 ¼ length win and got up for her first trip to the winners circle to collect her trophy for her first time G1 win. The owner has contracted for this race jockey, O A Haack who will be coming in from Florida to take the mount. This pairing will be headed out at post time to represent the GR Simsters residency.
| 2 | OTTO PAUNCHI | KY | 5F | kaner6 | P Wright | 22 | 10 | 73% | $1,180,060 | 132.00 | 9/2 |
This is a well seasoned five year old Light Grey Mare sired by Tapit. She has only missed the boards one time this season and that came in a very tough race, the Equinics G1, Taj Mahal of which she came in ninth place. But this should not discourage you away from this horse as she came back to run again on 09/26/2020 going 9 furlongs in New York in the G1, The Great Dame of which she found her way back to the boards in second and was just a half a length off at the wire. She stayed close just off the lead in that race which seems to be her normal pattern. Thus this is where I would think you could find her during the running of this race. She will have jockey, P Wright coming in from Arizona to help in guiding her. This is a familiar pairing as this jockey was in the saddle for that last race with her in New York. They will be headed out at post time to represent the GR Simsters residency.
| 3 | ARROKAZA | KY | 3F | givenelite2 | Q Cassell | 11 | 6 | 64% | $1,916,640 | 128.00 | 45/1 |
This is a three year old Light Grey Filly sired by Arrogate. She had been doing will this season and was the winner of the G1, Los Vinegrette Stakes and then followed that up with a win in the G1, Bluegrass Derby. After these wonderful performances she ran into some trouble. She went out on 06/20/2020 in New York running in the G1, Sister Hen Stakes. She did not seem to like this off track that day and just did not run her normal style of race. She crossed the wire back in fifth missing the boards for the first time this season. She then came back out to run on 08/02/2020 in the Equinics G1, Nikola Tesla. I do not know what happened to her in this race and I have been unable to get anything out of the owner, but she must have had equipment issues that day. She ran an extremely disappointing race and lingered across the wire in last place with an 89 speed rating. After these last two outings the odds makers have seemed to lose a little faith and they make her the longest choice in the field here in the Breeders’ Bowl Distaff. Jockey, Q Cassell from Dubai will be flying in to take to the saddle up top. This jockey rode this filly in the Equinics and thus both horse and jockey will be looking for redemption after that disappointing last race together. They will be heading out of the paddock on Saturday to represent the GR Simsters residency.
| 4 | DECADES LINE | ENG | 3F | brightvalr | W Cahill | 11 | 6 | 73% | $946,380 | 136.50 | 21/1 |
This three year old Bay Filly will break from a favorable fourth gate in this race. She is sired b Dubawi and she too ran in the Equinics G1, Great Sphinx at a distance of 10 furlongs crossing the wire back in tenth place. She returned to the track on 09/06/2020 to run in Vermont traveling 8.5 furlongs in the G3, Little Evil Sophomore where she again did not find a good performance and showed up at the wire in ninth. But her owner got her prepped and ready for her most recent outing on 10/04/2020 when she found the touch to get back to her winning ways. She ran here in Kentucky going 9 furlongs in the G1, Three Smokestacks Stakes where at the third call she grabbed the lead and was able to hold off the rest of the field to get up for a G1 trip to the winners circle with a 115 speed rating. She is going to need that speed here on Saturday and jockey, W Cahill from Oklahoma will be in the saddle again to ride with her. They paired together here in Kentucky in her last outing and look for a repeat win when they head out to their post draw representing the Midas residency.
| 5 | REGENT OF JUSTICE | KY | 3F | babycolt | F Gossett | 10 | 6 | 80% | $1,322,107 | 134.00 | 20/1 |
This three year old Bay Filly was sired by Justify and she was up for the game when she ran on 08/02/2020 in the Equinics G1, Nikola Tesla and found herself making a trip to the winners circle to collect her prize after an exciting win which gave her five wins in a row. But this winning streak came to an end in her most recent outing when she ran on 09/20/2020 in Ontario going 9 furlongs in the G3, Northern Oaks. She appeared to be in a good spot at the third call, but when her jockey ask her for more she failed to respond and showed up at the wire in a disappointing seventh place. Jockey, F Gossett from California was in the saddle for her Equinics win and he has been called upon to ride this filly again here in the Breeders’ Bowl. This is a formidable pairing that has shown they work well together and could out perform their 20/1 morning line odds. They will be headed out to the track at post time to represent the Midas residency.
| 6 | MOEDOWN | KY | 4F | olathe1 | J Piotrowski | 16 | 9 | 75% | $1,180,015 | 134.00 | 6/1 |
This four year old Brown Filly sired by Uncle Mo has been racing very well for her owner this season and he has brought her here to the Distaff to see if she has what it takes to get a trip to the boards on Saturday. On 08/16/2020 she traveled 8 furlongs here in Kentucky in the G3, The Garden Handicap. She was way back in twelfth place at the third call and then she fired. But it was just a little too late and she crossed the wire in third that day. But the owner remained confident in his horse and returned her to the track in California on 09/27/2020 to go 8.5 furlongs in the G1, The Bra Snap. Again this late closing filly found herself back in twelfth at the third call, but she was poised for the kill on this day when she fired like a rocket down the stretch to grab the wire first by two lengths. Her jockey that day in California was J Piotrowski from Pennsylvania and he gets the contract again for this race to ride up top with this filly. This familiar pairing will be coming out in the post parade representing The Minnesota Testbarn Residency.
| 7 | APATHETIC GURU | KY | 3F | asrdistorted | T Ace | 15 | 10 | 67% | $2,498,220 | 210.00 | 43/1 |
This three year old Bay Filly is a scratch bred (DISTORTED HUMOR x SEATTLE SLEW x STORM CAT) and is well decorated as she comes into this race. She is an EOY Award Winner, she won the G1, Florida Derby, was a Bluegrass Derby and Equinics contender. She knows how to run in big races against big horses. But having several bad races in a row the odds makers do not give her much of a look as they pencil her in as their second longest choice in this field. Her last Graded outing came on 09/05/2020 when she took to the turf surface for the first time in New York going 9 furlongs in the G2, The Jersey City. She did not take well to this change in surface and ran one of her worst career starts. She was never a factor in this race and crossed the wire way back in thirteenth place. Her owner gave her a nice little Hot Race workout on 10/07/2020 here in Kentucky over the turf prepping her for the Distaff. She will get the services of jockey, T Ace who will travel in from Texas to take the ride up top. He is going to need to get this filly to show much improvement if they are to find their way back to the boards on Saturday when they head out to their post representing the All-Stars Racing residency.
| 8 | AMERICAN DANE | KY | 4F | deyoto | GD Mate | 20 | 7 | 70% | $2,401,000 | 120.00 | 5/1 |
This 5/1 choice in the morning line is a four year old Bay Filly sired by American Pharoah and she has been running in lots of big race in the past two seasons and should be well prepared to take on a big field of other classy horses on Saturday. In June of this year she got up for the win in the G1, Steadhemp/Mike Phipps Handicap which secured her spot to run next in the Equinics G1, Taj Mahal where she crossed the wire in fifth in a tight race. She was then asked to return to the track in New York on 09/06/2020 to travel 8.5 furlongs in the G1, Superfilly Handicap. This big closing filly was way back in thirteenth place at the third call when she fired down the stretch coming in second at the wire just missing by a head bob. Jockey, GD Mate from New Zealand rode this horse in the Equinics and in many other prior races. He knows how this filly likes to move and I am sure will be giving her a couple of good whip snaps to get her to fire big around the third call. This pairing will be headed out to their gate draw representing the Deyoto residency.
| 9 | TAKE THE MOON LV | KY | 5F | bizalls10 | L Radzinski | 22 | 9 | 64% | $3,603,595 | 128.00 | 6/1 |
This five year old Bay Mare was sired by Take Charge Indy and comes into this race well decorated as an EOY Award Winner and she is out of HOF Mare, Puentelarra. This horse has been struggling in her most recent races but is returning to the Breeders’ Bowl Distaff this year to defend her title as the Reigning Distaff Champion. Her last big win came back in February of this year running in the G1, The Santa Marina Handicap in California. Since that race she has struggled and has not been able to find the boards after that outing. But her owner shows confidence in his horse and feels she has what it takes to head back to the boards in this race. She last ran on 10/04/2020 here in Kentucky going 9 furlongs in the G1, Three Smokestacks Stakes. She never found her footing in that race and had an off performance when she crossed the wire back in eleventh place. Jockey, L Radzinski gets the call to again ride with this filly here on Saturday. This jockey will be trying to guide this horse to a successful trip of redemption and successfully maintain the title here in the Distaff. They will be headed out at post time representing the Only Stayers residency.
| 10 | FOXY MONKEY | KY | 5F | merrychristmas | F Oxon | 23 | 8 | 70% | $1,113,509 | 116.00 | 9/2 |
Your 9/2 morning like favorite will be breaking out of the tenth gate. She is a five year old Brown Mare that is a scratch bred (CANDY RIDE x SEATTLE SLEW x NORTHERN DANCER) and she has done pretty good for her owner this season. She ran on 07/26/2020 in New York going 9 furlongs in the G1, Go For The Gold Stakes. She was lingering just off the lead in this race which seems to be her normal style. She was in a very close third at the third call and broke away down the stretch to come up with a nice G1 win for her owner when she crossed the wire up by over two lengths. She came back out again in New York on 09/06/2020 to run 8.5 furlongs in the G1, Superfilly Handicap. She was not as “Super” that day when she ran a little off her normal and could not find her position. She crossed the wire in a disappointing seventh place that day. Her owner brings his big mare here to Kentucky seeking some redemption from that last race and would be excited to see his morning line favorite take a trip to the winners circle. The owner has called in jockey, F Oxen who is a seasoned jockey from out of Louisiana to take the mount up top and try to help guide his horse against this tough field of contenders. They will be headed out of the paddock and onto the track representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 11 | OCTANE ENFORCER | KY | 3F | maverick | P Campbell | 11 | 5 | 82% | $1,354,620 | 140.00 | 24/1 |
This three year old Bay Filly is another scratch bred in the field (INTO MISCHIEF x STREET CRY x DYNAFORMER) and she picked up a big win this season back in April out in California in the G1, California Oaks. She went on from there to run in the G1, Bluegrass Oaks of which she got a nice second place finish. In August of this year she traveled 10 furlongs for the first time in the G1, Birmingham Stakes when she made another big closing effort from way back to come in second. Then in her most recent outing she ran 10 furlong in New York in the G1, The 10cc Rubber Bullet where she was shot down when she failed to fire when asked to run. She is looking to get back on track here in Kentucky on Saturday when jockey, P Campbell from Idaho takes to the irons and will guide her in this race. He needs to get this horse to fire big at the third call and show some muscle in those legs if she is going to get back to the boards in this race. This pair will be headed out to their gate draw representing the Empire State Racing residency.
| 12 | BLAME GUNS | KY | 3F | lgbost9a | D Givins | 11 | 5 | 64% | $847,440 | 110.00 | 42/1 |
Another one of the longer choices in this field will be this three year old Bay Filly sired by Gun Runner. She found her niche while running on an off track in New York in June of this year in the G1, Sister Hen Stakes. She went quickly from gate to wire to pick up this nice win. I will note that she also ran back in April of this year in the G1, California Oaks of which she crossed the wire in second. She went on to race in the G1, Bluegrass Oaks of which she did not run one of her best races. Her most recent trip to the track came on 09/27/2020 in Michigan when her owner entered her in a 16 furlong Listed Stakes, the Stamina Builder Stakes which ran in the slop. This race was obviously what too big of a jump in distance for her and I hope it has not broken her spirit. She crossed the wire in fifth and was a long distance back of over twenty-seven lengths. The owner brings her back down to a distance of which I feel is much better suited for her. The owner got here to the track early with his horse and made his way over to the jocks room to nail down a local fan favorite jockey, D Givins. This jockey has also rode this horse in other prior races so this familiar face may spark some interest in this horse as they head out to their gate to the sounds of a cheering crowd.
| 13 | WHISKEY OVERLOAD | KY | 5F | zia4 | N Lawton | 21 | 7 | 76% | $978,348 | 118.00 | 6/1 |
This five year old Light Grey Mare is a scratch bred (AWESOME AGAIN x UNBRIDLED’S SONG x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY) and she has put together three nice recent outing for her owner on the track. She ran in May of this year in Arkansas in the G3, Poor Mona Lisa Handicap. This deep closer threw down her top career speed rating of 117 and took the win by over two lengths. She then came back and ran in New York going 9 furlong on 07/26/2020 in the G1, Go For The Gold Stakes. Again at the third call she was asked to run and she responded but crossed the wire in second. She then returned to the track for her most recent outing on 09/26/2020 going 9 furlong in New York in the G1, The Great Dame. Once again she was way back in twelfth place at the third call when her jockey asked her to find another gear. She responded with a big stretch run to grab the wire first and collect her first G1 win and trip to the winners circle for a photo op. The owner has put in the call and contracted jockey, N Lawton who will be coming in from New York to take to the saddle for this race. If he can get her to fire for another of those big closing efforts this horse could be a contender here when they break from their gate to the sounds of a cheering crowd.
| 14 | WELLS OF SILENCE | KY | 4F | dahmamas | G Scott | 17 | 8 | 71% | $912,258 | 105.00 | 7/1 |
Coming out of the far outside gate will be this four year old Bay Filly which is a scratch bred (GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x SEEKING THE GOLD x DANZIG). She had a wonderful three year old season in 2019, but has found recent struggles during this 2020 season. After three poor outings in a row at the Graded level her owner backed her down here in Kentucky on 10/02/2020 to run 8.5 furlongs in a $75,000 Allowance. She was trying to go gate to wire when she broke from the second gate in that race, but she was caught late down the stretch and came in second. She is going to need to show improvements if she wishes to get to the boards. Also, she is breaking from this far outside gate as a horse that likes to be close to the front of the pack. Her jockey, G Scott from Oregon will need to pace her in this race and save some energy for later in the race to find a successful trip. This jockey will need a fresh bag of tricks for this run when they break from this far outside gate to the roar of a cheering crowd.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
2-Otto Paunchi: Doing well this season and coming off a second place G1 finish. Will she be game for this one?
10-Foxy Monkey: Going back up to 9 furlongs may be to her liking. Can she rebound after a poor last trip?
13-Whiskey Overload: Three nice outings in a row makes her a contender. Can she find another good trip here?
Tarton’s Long Shot
4-Decades Line: This 21/1 shot in the morning line is coming off a big last race with a 115 speed rating and a G1 win. If she can bring that forward to this race she could be a surprise contender in this field. She needs to be on some tickets when you head to the betting window.
Nice job on the write up Skip!
Great work Skip!
Thanks for the nice write up.