Monomoy Girl caps brilliant season in Breeders' Cup Distaff

Virtually assured a three-year-old championship regardless of the outcome, Monomoy Girl went out and proved herself the best filly and mare of any age in the country on dirt Saturday in the $1,786,000 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs.

A tracking second behind fellow three-year-old Wonder Gadot through splits of :23.39, :47.57, and 1:12.11, Monomoy Girl took over entering the stretch and held off challengers safe to win by a length under Florent Geroux. The final time for nine furlongs over a fast track was 1:49.79.

"She ran the way she was training. She was training like a monster and she ran like a monster," trainer Brad Cox said. "She is a special filly, one of a kind, an unbelievable filly."

Owned by the partnership of Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables, Monomoy Girl paid $5.60 as the 9-5 favorite. Wow Cat, who lagged far behind in last most of the way, rallied for second, a half-length ahead of Midnight Bisou. Second choice Abel Tasman, the 2017 champion three-year-old filly, was last of 11.

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Monomoy Girl would be undefeated in seven starts this year if not for decision only the stewards could hang on her last time in the Cotillion (G1), when she was demoted from first to second behind Midnight Bisou. She beat that rival on the square three other times this term, including the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). Earlier this year, Monomoy Girl also captured the Acorn (G1), Ashland (G1), and Rachel Alexandra (G2).

As a juvenile, Monomoy Girl won three of four, including the $82,000 Rags to Riches at Churchill. Her lone setback was by a neck in the Golden Rod (G2). Her record now stands at 11-9-2-0, $2,954,750.

Bred in Kentucky by FPF LLC and Highfield Ranch, Monomoy Girl was a $100,000 Keeneland September buy. She's by Tapizar, winner of the 2012 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), and is out of Drumette, by Henny Hughes.