Darlings of the Distaff
Breeders Bowl Distaff 11/6/2021
Welcome to the LBAILEY review of the Breeders Bowl Distaff. Fourteen quality fillies will be lining up to take home the winners share of this $3,000,000 purse. Not only that, End Of Year honors possibly reside to the winner. That will look pretty good as an icon when it’s time for the breeding shed. Twelve of the fourteen are already G1 winners, with six of them being millionaires. Should be an exciting race to watch, as the jockeys will have some form reading to do as well to set their filly up for success.
On a side note, kudos goes out to every trainer in the race. It’s hard getting your horses where you want them to be, but you’ve done it! Extra kudos to the stables of LENNY271, DIXIEDOTCO, and BEERKEG, achieving the feat of having two entrants each reaching the starting gate is something special!
November 6, 2021
$3,000,000 (Post Time 2:30pm EST)
3yr Olds and Up, Fillies – 9 Furlongs – Fast Dirt
#1 CADET THE DREAD (34-1) – Trained by CADET Stables
(Representing the Empire State Racing Residency)
(Curlin x (Moon Cadet) x Malibu Moon x Unbridled’s Song)
She’s the 5th graded winner from the strong mare Moon Cadet. Been primarily racing in New York, she decided to take a flight out to Turkey for the 10 furlong G1 Eurobama and it paid off big time. Her big rally to win at 16-1 odds there secured her spot in this field, and was a career best effort. A familiar foe, that she faced there, shows up in here as well and it may gave her the confidence boost needed contend in this one. She came up way short in the two races prior to the Eurobama, but maybe she’s just coming into form. This is a cut back in distance, so we’ll have to see if there’s enough ground for her rally.
#2 ROAD TO DANZIG (25-1) –Trained by DESERTDOG Stables
(Representing the All-Stars State Racing Residency)
(Quality Road x Pleasant Colony x Danzig)
This will be race #8 for this 3yr old filly this year. Traveled overseas for the first time in her last race, and just didn’t fire at all. Back to the states now, in hopes to bring the magic back. Had a narrow loss in the G1 Birmingham 2-back and won the G1 Orange Tree earlier this year but those were at longer distances. She has shown to have strong kick when the pace has been fast, but has been a bit inconsistent. Another taking on her elders for the first time, and with no wins at the distance, I can’t back her for the top spot, but can hit the board with the right drive.
#3 MAGICAL MORNING (7/2) – Trained by KINGAB Stables
(Representing the Empire State Racing Residency)
(Shamardal x (Impact Is Magical) Deep Impact x Giant’s Causeway)
Comes into this race on fire! 5 in a row dating back to December of ’20. Hails from a nice family also, Dam was a graded winner of over $500k, and the Dam’s Dam was an End Of Year honor winner and earned over $3 mill. Interesting to see her like the dirt as much as she does with that turf pedigree. That’s how this game goes though. The 122SP 3-back was phenomenal in the G1 Go For The Gold. A deep closer with tremendous turn of foot will have her running at her best late in the game. Doesn’t even need a fast pace to run after. If she’s still sharp… lookout!
#4 DANZING GIANT (4-1) – Trained by HARRYLAN Stables
(Representing the Elite Racing Club Residency)
(Giant’s Causeway x (Danzing Daisy) Danzig x Seattle Slew)
Has seen the winners circle more times than most of this field has even ran. Almost reeled off 3-straight G1 wins to start the year off, being narrowly beaten in the Steadhemp. Took the G2 Molly Pitcher by open lengths following that. Lost to Ruler of Justice last out, but won’t have to face her this time as she was bumped from the field. Her mid-pack prowess should set her up with a nice run at the leaders in the stretch. Can’t knock 3 wins and 2 seconds from his 5 starts this year against the top of the class. Should be right there at the end!
#5 DECADES LINE (9-1) – Trained by DIXIEDOTCO Stables
(Representing the Midas Residency)
(Dubawi x (Nike Suicide) Giant’s Causeway x Dynaformer)
Dam was a stakes winning miler on the turf, and having the current turf king as a sire, you would think, well…. Turf. But this gal has proven that she covets the dirt. The possible pace setter here would thoroughly enjoy some soft fractions to carry her to the winners circle. She finished 3rd in this race last year by sitting just off the pace. Attempted to win the Three Smokestacks in back-to-back years last out, but folded badly in the last quarter. Tried wiring the field in every start this year, which worked until the last two. A revert to a just off the pace running style may prove in her best interest in an attempt to hit the board.
#6 SUNDAY KEGGER (31-1) – Trained by BEERKEG Stables
(Representing the Drunken Jockeys Club Residency)
(Quality Road x Sunday Silence x Medaglia D’Oro)
Punched her ticket into this race with a score in the G1 California Oaks back in April. A few lackluster performances followed before putting together a career best effort last out in the G2 Cotton Handicap with a 111SP. Do note, she still finished 3rd that day. You can throw out the sprint attempt two back, as that’s not what she wants. Just one win in her last seven tries, albeit against the top of the division. Seems a cut below this group on paper, but her tactical speed might put her in good position if the leaders aren’t going too fast. Will she be drinking from the keg on Sunday to drown the sorrows, or from the after party of the upset win?
#7 DOMEPLATE RUSH (21-1) – Trained by LENNY271 Stables
(Representing the GR Simsters Residency)
(California Chrome x (Devilish Thoughts) Kingmambo x A.P. Indy)
This Chromie showed some good late pace as a 2yr old, and carried that over to begin her 3yr old campaign by winning the G1 Key Lime and a hard charging 3rd in the Bluegrass Oaks. The three subsequent races following the Oaks have been a little different though. All with very good SP numbers, but she seemed to flatten out in the stretch. A career best effort last out in the Three Smokestacks only gave her a 3rd place showing, beaten by 3.5 lengths by Magical Morning, whom she sees here again. A positive would be that it was her first run against elders, and can definitely improve off of that race. Backend exotics play for me.
#8 RIGHTDOWNTHEALLEY (54-1) – Trained by SELURNIVEK Stables
(Representing the Minnesota Testbarns Residency)
(Flower Alley x (Herecomesdaking) Bernardini x Kingmambo)
This year’s Oaks winner comes in off a 4 length triumph vs CPU horses in a HOT race over the synthetic surface. The last time we saw her against graded company, she faded badly, finishing 9th, beaten by over 14 lengths. She didn’t have any kick in her follow up race to the Oaks win either. Did she peak too early or did the HOT race give her the confidence back she had earlier on in her career? This is a tall mountain to climb given recent history and note that she’s racing against elders for the first time. Your call.
#9 SEVEN THOUSAND RPM (9-1) – Trained by LIAM Stables
(Representing the GR Simsters Residency)
(Quality Road x (Liam’s Fortune) Distorted Humor x Deputy Minister)
Attempts to pull off what G1 winning mama couldn’t do in her final race, win the Distaff. She’s been putting together strong efforts vs graded company ever since she joined the ranks in October of last year. A fine, pace pressuring effort last out turned into a runner-up finish due to the monster that is Magical Morning. Still, I think that would again be her best chance in here, to be close or on the lead. Tried going 10 furlongs two back and that proved to be a bit too much. Back at the distance where she belongs, in hopes of turning the table on her main rival. She has a strong chance in here, but will need a career best effort.
#10 IS IT ENOUGH (5-1) – Trained by MASTERM Stables
(Representing the GR Simsters Residency)
(Lemon Drop Kid x (Quiet Cara) Bernardini x Seeking The Gold)
The only mare in the field able to claim that she’s never been off the board. That’s right, 13 career starts that include 5 graded stakes and 2 listed ones. Couldn’t fend off Last Call Champ or Magical Morning in her last two outings where she had to settle for runner up in both the Great Dame and Go For The Gold. Has nothing to be disappointed about though, as she ran a valiant effort in both races. Unfortunately, she will face both of those rivals today and will have to turn the tables to keep her streak alive. Versatility may be key, having shown a little more speed in her last, opposed to her back of the pack style of earlier races.
#11 LA MOZA (7-1) – Trained by HAACK Stables
(Representing the Latinos Del Mundo Residency)
(Giant’s Causeway x Mr. Prospector x Deputy Minister)
Took the G1 Superfilly Handicap last out in front-running fashion, but was nearly caught at the wire. This filly has some great speed, and needs to keep it for an extra half furlong, as she’s been consistently running at 8.5 furlongs in her last 7 races. Her last trip at 9 furlongs was back in August of ’20, where she never got a head in front, but was solid, following the leader around the entire track to finish second in the G3 Rose Garden. Another versatile filly whom has shown front running speed and the ability to sit mid-pack. Which is it today, and can she hold up with the extra distance? We’ll find out.
#12 RULER OF JUSTICE (7-1) – Trained by LENNY271 Stables
(Representing the GR Simsters Residency)
(Justify x (Ruler of Galaxies) Smart Strike x Nureyev)
Hails from the barn of this years current Wins leader. This late substitution has been successful on both surfaces. Arrives in here off back to back wins, with the latest being a nearly three-length triumph in the G1 Bra Snap. In that race, she ran right past the 4-1 second choice in here, Danzing Giant. Previous experience at 9 furlongs doesn’t wow you, but recent form, and consecutive 116sp numbers going 8.5 furlongs do. Shows a similar, mid to back of the pack running style like her G2 winning mama, which will have her bunched up with several others early on. Keeps her jockey from the last out win. Can she time it right and out kick the others? Good chance!
#13 RILEY REID (44-1) – Trained by BEERKEG Stables
(Representing the Drunken Jockeys Club Residency)
(War Front x Smart Strike x Uncle Mo)
Been on the bench since July, after not showing up in the Players Club Oaks, in which she was coming in off of another layoff of nearly 3 months. She was running monthly ever since she began her career in August of ’20. Popped onto the scene in March with a 9-1 score in the 8.5 furlong Iool Oaks, coming from 9 lengths back, to win by 2 at the wire. Followed that up with a narrow defeat in the Bluegrass Oaks, rallying from over 10 lengths back. Another in here trying elders for the first time. If she can revert back to the form had before the layoffs, it would give her a chance, but the back to back layoffs are a concern.
#14 LAST CALL CHAMP (15-1) – Trained by DIXIEDOTCO Stables
(Representing the Midas Residency)
(Tapit x (Dangerous Reward) Kingmambo x Storm Cat)
Being the daughter of a Hall Of Famer, you know she has the talent to succeed at the highest level, and comes off of her best effort to date. The Great Dame win was stellar, where she took control at the three-quarter mark and never looked back. Did I mention that was her first race against older horses also? She also claimed the Middle Jewel for fillies this year. On the improving trend and it seems 9 furlongs is her sweet spot. She will be a force to reckon within this division for some time if Dixie so chooses. I like her here, but will need to get the jump on Magical Morning and others to hit the board.
SELECTIONS:
1ST – (3) MAGICAL MORNING – Has that “wow” factor
2ND – (10) IS IT ENOUGH – Been very solid, and a sentimental sire favorite
3RD – (4) DANZING GIANT – No knocks, and could win this
4TH – (9) SEVEN THOUSAND RPM – Versatility could set her up well
Thanks for reading and good luck to all contestants!
Thanks for an outstanding preview!
Nice write up! Thanks.