BC Distaff

BREEDERS’
CUP PREVIEWS

With the defection of 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri (Jade
Hunter), the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) has become a
wide-open affair. The 1 1/8-mile dirt event, the first of eight
Breeders’ Cup races to be held Saturday at Lone Star Park in
Grand Prairie, Texas, has a remarkable field containing a champion
and multiple Grade 1 winners alike. We will take a lass
contending for a top spot in the three-year-old filly division,
STELLAR JAYNE (Wild Rush).

Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, this gray turned a corner since a
seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), reeling off two
straight victories including the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose (G1), a
race at this level and distance. After finishing second in the
Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama S. (G1), both at
10 furlongs, Stellar Jayne returned to her optimum distance in
the nine-furlong Gazelle S. (G1), showing her affinity for this
distance. After losing the lead in the stretch, the sophomore
fought back to be a length winner at the wire. Her versatile
running style provides her the ability to run on the lead or rate
just off a fast pace, and she can close with a rush. Stellar
Jayne looks to be extremely capable in this spot with regular
rider Robby Albarado in the irons.

ASHADO (Saint Ballado) owns eight wins from 13 lifetime
starts, 12 of which were graded. Her record this season, a
remarkable 7-4-2-1, includes earnings of $1,219,640 and two Grade
1 wins. The dark bay filly will more than likely go off as the
post-time favorite and deservedly so. The Todd Pletcher-trained
miss has consistently earned century-topping BRIS Speed figures
and will have John Velazquez aboard.

Distance does not appear to be a factor for SOCIETY SELECTION
(Coronado’s Quest) as the bay owns wins from seven furlongs to 1
1/4 miles, three of which were Grade 1s. The only question for
the Allen Jerkens trainee is whether or not she will run in the
Distaff as she did in the Alabama, first over both Stellar Jayne
and Ashado, or copy her performance in the nine-furlong Mother
Goose, in which she finished sixth. Regardless, it is tough to
look past the three-year-old.

The Shug McGaughey-conditioned STORM FLAG FLYING (Storm Cat)
has experienced serious competition as of late, including
recently-retired Sightseek in three of her last four outings and
the great Azeri on two occasions as well. With the absence of
those two, this filly has a strong chance in the Distaff. The
four-year-old can rate or run on the lead, making her a dangerous
entrant. The Ogden Phipps homebred could be there for part.

ISLAND FASHION (Petionville) shocked the racing world when
finishing second four starts back against the boys in the Santa
Anita H. (G1). Trainer Marcelo Polanco then shipped the filly to
Japan where she ran a disappointing 16th, more than likely due to
the surface of the grassy race. The gray then traveled back to
the United States in good form, taking the Lady’s Secret
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) in her last out. Don’t forget her at the
windows.

TAMWEEL (Gulch) pressed 2002 Distaff winner Azeri through 8 1/2
furlongs in the Spinster S. (G1) last time before the champion
kicked away in the final sixteenth. Trained by Wayne Catalano,
the chestnut was still impressive finishing second. In fact,
since switching to the Chicago-based trainer, this four-year-old
owns a record of 4-2-2-0. Watch for her to possibly surprise on
Saturday. Four-year-old ELLOLUV (Gilded Time) ran a valiant
second to Adoration (Honor Grades) in last year’s Distaff but no
longer appears in that top form. The bay captured the 2003 Ashland S. (G1), as
well as the Piedra Foundation H. two back, but has not run at this level since
last year. Her nice recent works suggest possible use on the bottom of the
exotics.

French Oaks (Fr-G1) winner NEBRASKA TORNADO (Storm Cat) will
make her U. S. bow in the Distaff for trainer Andre Fabre, for
whom Gary Stevens rode this summer. She will have hot jockey
Edgar Prado in the irons but will try the dirt for the first time.
While she is by a good dirt sire, the four-year-old miss is
winless from four starts this year and we can’t recommend her
chances here. The Frank Kirby-trained BARE NECESSITIES (Silver
Deputy) has consistently run at the graded level this year but to
no avail. The mare has finished second or third in six of those
seven contests, but she hasn’t made it to the winner’s circle
this season. We don’t see her making it there against tougher
company on Saturday.

HOLLYWOOD STORY (Wild Rush) has four Grade 1 starts this year
for conditioner John Shirreffs but, much like Bare Necessities,
has not crossed the wire first. The three-year-old owns a Grade 1
win in the Hollywood Starlet S. (G1), but we feel she needs to
improve significantly to factor. INDY GROOVE (A. P. Indy) steps
up here after a nice win in the Autumn Leaves S. at Mountaineer
Park last out, recording a competitive Speed figure of 105.
Still, we’ll have to watch on Cup Day.