Humana Distaff (Grade 1)- $500.000 Purse
CD- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
May 4, 2019

On Saturday, in the lead up for the KYD, we will have a chance to watch more great horses as a field of nine goes to post for the 16th running of the Humana Distaff. This seven furlong race will race for the largest purse in its history, as a recent increase now sees the prize becoming $500.000. The race could also be nicknamed the Blonde Dynamite Distaff, as that legendary horse won three editions of the race in a row between 2007 and 2009, a very rare feat in our game. Other greats to win this race in the past are Darling Harbour and Avery Island. Dreaming of Lys won the race last year, but was retired soon after. It’s becoming more likely now that the track will be muddy or sloppy (though in HRP, weather is never certain), for Saturday at CD, so that is something also to factor into the equation. Let’s meet the field!

#1- Wolfslayer (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by S X Bridgmohan)- The trainer has two in the field, and they will be on the bookends of the starting gate. Wolfslayer is a past Grade 1 winner, as he captured the La Brea at SA right after Christmas. This year she has been ok in two starts, but she could use a jolt for her career after a tough run in the Vinery Madison last month. Good at finishing in the money, though has only three wins in 16 starts.

#2- Starlite Run (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by M Franco)- This filly is on a roll, there is no other way to put it. In her last start, she won the Grade 1 Beholder out at SA, and that extended her winning streak to six. She’d have a long way to go to reach Blonde Dynamite’s winning streak, but it’s very impressive. M Franco has become a regular jockey lately, as this will be his third straight trip on her, so when you are hot, you don’t want to mess anything up. On off tracks, she has not been her best, but that was before she went on this streak, too.

#3- Sports Creek (Estero Farms, ridden by T Gaffalione)- So far this season, she is a perfect two-for-two, winning both the Grade 3 Fritchie and the Grade 2 Inside Information. Each of those are seven furlong races, and in each she had a sensible stalking trip before winning the race in the stretch. Don’t see why she would be unable to do that. Consistently scores SRF’s in the upper 90’s, and that is a trend that should continue here.

#4- Are We Dreamin (Mb Stables, ridden by R Bejarano)- The runner up in the BC Fillies and Mares Sprint last season has continued to perform well this year in her three starts. Mostly recently, she edged out Shake It Off in a photo finish at the Grade 1 Vinery Madison, a race that a few of these were also in. This filly will also become an appealing play in the event of an off track as she has a win and two seconds in three off track starts, all of which were graded stakes. Mb Stables last won the Humana Distaff in 2017 with Lea, and Are We Dreamin gives him a great chance to do that again.

#5- Wbf No Regrets (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by C J Lanerie)- A filly who knows how to win, doing so in seven of sixteen career starts, although she has not always been running in the biggest races. It did not matter for her when the trainer did advance her to the graded level, as after a couple of races to figure it out, she won the Distaff Handicap last month at AQU. That race saw her leave the turf and return to the main track, as well. Perhaps it is a little tough to pick her against this company, but a horse that wins just a bit less then half of her races can;t be ruled out.

#6- Eros (Smokey Stover, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- Acquired by the trainer from Fractious in private sales for just $10.000 after finishing third in the Grade 1 Beholder. Naturally, she was probably part of a larger transaction between the two. This will be her Smokey Stover debut, and she comes into the race on very good form. Other then the Beholder, she was a close second in the Grade 2 Santa Monica, and second in a photo again in the Grade 1 La Brea. Usually on or near the lead early, but perhaps a new trainer will mean a new tactic.

#7- Shake It Off (Our Athletes, ridden by J R Velazquez)- The six year old Quench mare has had a lot of success throughout her career, amassing just over $2,500.000 in career earnings, the highest such total in this field. After 28 races, she is still going strong, and narrowly finished second in her last start, the Grade 1 Vinery Madison, where she was nipped at the wire by Are We Dreamin. Most of her success is going long, though at this distance, she has been competitive but has not won at it. She is also one to watch an off track with two wins in starts when its wet.

#8- Indian River Queen (South Beach Racing, ridden by E Jaramillo)- Makes the 20th start of her career here, and will be looking for the biggest win of her career. She has attempted some high profile races in the past, such as the CCA Oaks and the Personal Ensign, but her only graded win came in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie in January, where she defeated Are We Dreamin. She likes it wet as well, and might actually enjoy it even more if its muddy or sloppy. E Jaramillo has become a frequent rider, and they have great chemistry together.

#9- Snakie Pleasure (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by J J Castellano)- The Snakie filly is inexperienced in comparison to her peers, with just one win in six starts. Interestingly, that win was in an allowance, which was at seven furlongs. She was one graded stake attempt to her credit, the Grade 3 Bayakoa, and while she did not cash a check there, she ran a decent race. This is big jump forward for her, but I always root for Snakie foals.

Prediction: 7-2-4-6

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES