May 9, 2016
In 2012, a little known filly named Avery Island took the Grade I Humana Distaff in a stakes record time and by year end, she had won seven of eight starts and been named Horse Of The Year. While Distant Cousin has a long way to go to be named in the same company as that tremendous mare, she certainly did her part Saturday in the exact same race with a brilliant off-the-pace win for owner D J C Racing Stables. With straight and powerful strides, the now 10-time winner took home her third win of the year already and pushed her earnings to nearly $2,000.000, with plenty of Grade I races in her sights and a return to the BC F&M Sprint all be assured, especially with performances like today in her repertoire.
No one in the Humana Distaff field was really eager to take the early initiative and almost be default, Cozzene Scandal (12.80) found herself on the lead with Donegal Maid (8.10) to her inside and favourite Distant Cousin (*2.10) dropping back in behind. The frontrunners moved forward and down to the rail with Dashboard Rahy (3.20) a close third and with the opening split up in a solid 23.06, everyone was in a good striking position apart from Balais Bruit (6.85), who had dropped to a clear last. Cozzene Scandal inched forward into the far turn as Balais Bruit commenced her run out wide but the half-mile time of 46.00 was certainly quick for the distance yet the frontrunners still looked quite strong. Well In Line (5.10) clung to the fence as Dashboard Rahy moved into the three-wide path and that swung Distant Cousin wide at the top of the lane before she moved inside too, in search of clear room for the final furlong. Cozzene Scandal was holding her own with Donegal Maid trying desperately for that repeat win and the backfield charging hard and inside the final 1/16th, the champion found the room she needed and burst forward like the amazing filly she is, with no one coming as fast as her. At the wire, Distant Cousin was a going-away winner by a solid half-length with Balais Bruit an excellent second after breaking slowly and Silk Houses (5.70) a gutsy third, although no match for the winner down the stretch. Donegal Maid failed to menace late in her repeat attempt and wound up fourth from Well In Line inside, Cozzene Scandal a tired sixth and Dashboard Rahy last after failing to muster anything in the critical last furlong.
Distant Cousin is now a perfect six-for-six in sprinting starts since October of last year and looks to be one of the best fillies or mares at HRP in any division with her stunning win in the Grade I Humana Distaff on Saturday. A race like the $1,000.000 Phipps at BEL might be tempting for her, as will the Grade I Vanity at SA, but her ultimate objective has to be the Grade I Ballerina at SAR if she hopes to repeat at F&M Sprint Champion and possibly, Horse Of The Year.
Congratulations goes out to owner D J C Racing Stables and their four-year-old filly Distant Cousin, a resounding winner of the Grade I Humana Distaff at CD!
Prediction Distant Cousin / Balais Bruit / Dashboard Rahy
Winner Distant Cousin
Four-year-old gray filly
Iditarod Diademe-Myra (Mordred)
Owner D J C Racing Stables
Time 23.06, 46.00, 1:09.58, 1:21.74
Overall
Distant Cousin *2.10 stalked behind leaders, found room, driving
Balais Bruit 6.85 broke slowly, wide run into lane, up for second
Silk Houses 5.70 between rivals, minor late rally
Donegal Maid 8.10 pressed inside, failed to menace late
Well In Line 5.10 inside run throughout
Cozzene Scandal 12.80 set pace, weakened in lane
Dashboard Rahy 3.20 no late momentum
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
