BC Distaff Grade 1
Purse $2,000.000
For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old And Upward
1 1/8 on Dirt
-Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack
Del Mar, California
Perhaps this event, like no other on the Breeder’s Cup card will forever be linked to both unbelievable glory and heart-breaking tragedy. The race has been won in real life three times in a row on two different occasions. D Wayne Lukas won it from 1985-1987 with Life’s Magic, Lady’s Secret and Sacahuista. The three-peat was also accomplished by Bill Mott from 2010-2012 with Unrivaled Bell and Royal Delta twice. In 1990 however, a great tragedy took place in front of the whole world. The Distaff, a seven-horse race that year, turned into a match race. Go For Wand and Bayakoa, the former trying to win horse of the year and the other trying to win the Distaff for the second year in a row, went eye to eye through the 1,097-foot stretch. One of the greatest stretch drives in history for anybody that saw it. Sadly, less than a sixteenth of a mile from the finish, Go For Wand’s right foreleg gave way, breaking at the ankle. The filly fell, horrifying the crowd of 51,236 and sending her jockey, Randy Romero, over the top. In the moments afterwards, even in the winner’s circle, a gloom hung over the track that is hard to accurately describe. Even the saltiest of players were in shock, as was the entire world that watched from home. It was a brutal reminder to all that the sport we all love and the risk involved with it should never be taken lightly. It was an event that this reporter will never quite be able to forget.
Thankfully, here at HRP only egos get bruised, but are only a win away from being healed. As far as three-peats, as they say in New York, “fuhgeddaboudit”. No horse has ever repeated, but three barns have won it twice. Jerry Garcia Racing in 2003 and 2007, Smokey Stover in 2019 and 2023 and Mb Stables in 2020 and 2024, Time to put away the history books, wipe away the tears and get ready for this year’s renewal of one of the most dramatic races carded year in and year out. Let’s meet the gals lining up for the 2025 HRP BC Distaff.
Spring Street from High Voltage has always been a sharp worker both at the track and at the farm. Fast enough to compete in sprints, “Street” has more speed than most handicappers would think. She shows a pattern coming into this where she seemed to lose a step or two, throwing in two fifth place finishes in July and August before uncorking a visually stunning performance at Santa Anita in late September when switching to Prat. Two bullets after the race show me that she is at concert pitch for the most important race of her life. The pace scenario here, even with fourteen horses is a little bit muddy. I am not suggesting that new tactics will be used, but I believe she is sharp enough to get out of trouble regardless of how this race goes down. She should also be a very square price for her backers. Wasted Away from Mb Stables has gas, a commodity that is somewhat lacking in this renewal. She went gate to wire last year and looks to become the first HRP horse to double up. Obviously loves the surface at Del Mar and is not being asked to do something new. However, she won’t be a price and the pattern hints at the fact it might be time for a rest. Her last two races were simply not as sharp as one would like heading into this run. Conflicting information, but with her gas she will take some beating today. Starting Over from Twin Towers Racing is razor sharp after earning her top number of the year in her last start. She ran second in this event last year and she showed that she can close a lot of ground late, even when they don’t fly early. She may only need clear sailing to prevail. Credit Crime from Aer Stables is a monster three-year-old filly. Only 15.2 hands, she is diminutive, but mighty and packs a solid late kick. She also possesses enough gas to be in a closer position if needed, so how this goes down shouldn’t be a problem. Her only knock is tackling older for the first time, always an age-old potential problem no matter how good they are, and she is beyond good, most would say brilliant. A win here would solidify her for the eternity of Breeder’s Cup lore.
Of the rest:
Barossa Valley from Mo Mentum Farm has enough speed to get a good position and to stay out of trouble. She is drawn perfectly in gate five and should give a good sight to her backers at a solid price. Her last start was her top figure of the year, all systems go.
Present Tense from Mb Stables is a hard knocking six-year-old mare that just ran a banger in The Beldame stakes. However, that was a six-horse field where she went wire to wire. She also shows a slight pattern of good race bad race. This is a tough place to change that today. Conflicting info, albeit a top stakes barn calling the shots.
Wavy Girl from Saratoga Stud has more bullets in her holster than Wyatt Earp and also has the rail to ensure a cozy ground saving trip. Being five years old and having almost thirty starts also tells me that “Girl” won’t be intimidated by her rivals. She will take back and make one run. She will be a big price to get there today, but she is not without a shot.
Devil In High Heels from The Sidley Stud had some trouble nearing the half mile pole in The Spinster Stakes where she lost her action for a stride or two and then was not able to make up the needed ground late. She ran lights out in her previous start, so let’s give her a chance here to rebound. “Heels” fits big if she can repeat her number earned at Saratoga.
Old Mexico also from Mo Mentum Farm seldom allows foes to pass her and she is obviously a nice horse, just maybe a slight cut below the top in here. It will be interesting to see where she ends up as with a muddy pace scenario, I can see her gunning slightly or trying to get in. Her jockey will have his work cut out but is eligible to give her a brilliant ride and surprise more than a few. Big price to do so.
Gutter Black another Mo Mentum Farm entry gets drawn out by the hot dog stand for this affair and that will not help matters. She will have a tough time getting any kind of position today unless hers is the only gate that opens. Tough ask here with this post.
Soliloquy Sunset from Nakamura is a brilliant three-year-old filly tackling older for the first time and also drawn in post thirteen. Would simply need every break possible to get a piece today.
Hobo Blues from Alydar Stables is the up setter of note. “Blues” will get completely overlooked at the windows by the betting public as a horse that looks a cut below these. She stopped in this race last year after showing speed. However, “Blues” is a better horse now, more mature and has been there, done that before. She has enough gas to possibly come out and gain position, from there on it’s just a matter of hitting the button at the right time. Her last race was her best of the year, and she has bullets everywhere on her work tab, except for her easy blowout before shipping to Del Mar. The bomb of the race that must be used in all exotics.
Tactical Spin from Alydar Stables is an uncoupled entry-mate of the bomb mentioned above. This gal is a three-year-old that would appear to be in deep waters today. Look for her in this race next year if she continues to mature.
Creepy Runner Party also from Mb Stables is another three-year-old filly tackling older on racing’s biggest stage. This one has bounced around at different two turn distances and also tried turf. Certainly, plenty of room and potential for improvement, but to pull this off today would be a shocker and dirt numbers so far say not today.
A/E List
Liquor In Front from Riggins Racing was purchased for $200.000 and immediately paid some dividends by winning the Pines Stakes over this track. Then she regressed in The Spinster Stakes. Conflicting info if she gets to dance and the post will not help.
Anoushka On Tap from Winning Link Stables has been a nice claim for the barn but is biting it off here and would blow out the tote.
Nicolette from Alydar Stables is yet another nice looking three-year-old filly in deep waters today. Numbers wise she would also blow up the tote.
American Sky from Riggins Racing is a six-year-old mare that I wish would have drawn in. “Sky” ran third here last year and even with the outside fence I believe she would have put in some kind of run at a big number. Unfortunately, a miracle would have to take place just for her to enter the gate.
Good Luck to all the contestants this year!
-Trackman
Categories: BC 2025, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP