The BC Distaff – A Race To Savor

By Stu on October 28, 2026 • ( 0 )

BC Distaff

1 mile and 1/8 on the dirt, a grade one

$2000 to the winner for fillies and mares three years and older.

1 -Boardwalk Authority

Trainer: Winning Link Stables
Jockey: RM Hernandez
Age: 5-year-old Mare

Career Summary

Boardwalk Authority enters the Breeders’ Cup as a battle-hardened five-year-old mare whose career has been built on steady progression through the ranks rather than immediate stardom. Her record of 7 wins from 27 starts with over $1.25 million in earnings reflects a mare that has consistently held her own against quality opposition and developed into a genuine graded stakes performer.

Her early career showed promise without suggesting she would reach elite company. After breaking her maiden at Aqueduct late in her juvenile season, she worked her way through allowance and optional claiming company during 2024 and early 2025. Victories in races such as the East View Stakes and Empire Distaff demonstrated her ability, but it was her gradual rise into graded company that truly defined her career.

The breakthrough came during her four-year-old season when she began competing successfully against graded stakes opposition. She placed in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, finished runner-up in the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes, and was competitive in events such as the Shuvee and Chicago Stakes. While she did not immediately secure a Grade 1 victory, she repeatedly showed she belonged at that level.

Her finest achievement came this season in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga, where she controlled the race throughout and delivered a career-best performance. That victory finally provided the top-level success her consistency had long suggested was possible. Earlier this year she also hit the board in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap, finishing third, and was a respectable fourth in both the La Troienne and Beholder Mile.

Although she has not yet produced a signature Breeders’ Cup performance, her form against the division’s best mares has steadily improved. Importantly, her recent résumé contains far more Grade 1 credibility than many runners in this field, highlighted by a Grade 1 victory and multiple graded placings over the last two seasons.

Her most recent effort came in the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes, where she was never truly involved and finished well back after racing close to the pace. Connections will be hoping that effort was merely an off day rather than a sign her form is tailing off.

Recent Workouts

Boardwalk Authority’s recent works suggest she remains in excellent physical condition.

6f in 1:10.1 at Churchill Downs (3/63) on October 26.
6f in 1:10.3 at Santa Anita (2/93) prior to the Zenyatta.
Bullet-style 6f move at Belterra Park in August (1/8).
Excellent long work of 1 mile in 1:36.0 earlier this year.

The pattern indicates a mare maintaining her fitness with strong, professional drills rather than being pushed aggressively. Several near-the-top rankings among large workout groups suggest she has arrived at the Breeders’ Cup in solid order.

AI Assessment

Boardwalk Authority’s profile is built around consistency, durability, and proven Grade 1 class. The Personal Ensign victory stands out as one of the strongest pieces of form among the runners likely to line up in this year’s race, and she has repeatedly shown she can compete with elite older mares.

The concern is whether her disappointing Zenyatta Stakes run was merely a blip or the first sign that others are beginning to surpass her. At her best, she is absolutely capable of earning a Breeders’ Cup placing and cannot be dismissed for victory. If she reproduces her Saratoga form, she is a legitimate contender; if the Zenyatta effort proves more indicative, she may find a few rivals too strong.

A tough, genuine Grade 1 winner whose best performances make her a serious player in this field.

Stu’s assessment:

This inside gate is a plus but she has no consistent running style so it is hard to see where she will end up in the first two furlongs. I think she is comfortable running 47 and change for the first half so with that pace she should be on or near the speed and that’s where her best chance may lay. If she misses the break and falls into the pack early she may struggle to match the finish of the best of these. You can’t say she doesn’t have a chance but a win from her would be a surprise.

2 -Devil In High Heels

Trainer: The Sidley Stud
Jockey: P Lopez
Age: 5-year-old Mare

Career Summary

Devil In High Heels brings one of the strongest résumés in this field, combining durability, consistency and genuine Grade 1 class. The daughter of Cherokee Devil has amassed an impressive record of 10 wins, 10 seconds and over $2.4 million in earnings from 30 starts, making her one of the most accomplished mares in the race.

Unlike some rivals who blossomed later in their careers, Devil In High Heels showed quality from her three-year-old season. After progressing through allowance company, she immediately proved competitive in graded stakes company, finishing runner-up in the Fair Grounds Oaks and Indiana Oaks before capturing the Grade 3 Princess Rooney Stakes later that season. Her first Breeders’ Cup appearance came in the 2024 Filly & Mare Sprint, where she was unable to threaten and finished well down the field, but the experience proved valuable as her career continued to develop.

The 2025 campaign established her among the division’s elite. She captured the Grade 2 Inside Information Stakes, Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes, Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap, and most importantly the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga. That Personal Ensign victory remains the standout performance of her career, defeating high-quality older mares and confirming her ability to win at the highest level.

Her subsequent attempt in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Distaff did not go to plan, finishing ninth after never making a significant impact. However, that effort stands as an exception rather than the rule in an otherwise outstanding body of work.

This season has been another highly productive campaign. She added victories in the Grade 2 Shawnee Stakes and Grade 2 Shuvee Stakes, while also finishing second in the Grade 1 La Troienne, second in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, and second in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap. Her recent form figures demonstrate remarkable consistency against the best mares in training.

The most notable aspect of her profile is her reliability. Since establishing herself in graded company she has become exceptionally hard to keep out of the exacta, repeatedly producing speed figures in the high-90s to low-100s regardless of venue or competition.

Recent Workouts

Devil In High Heels arrives with a series of strong stamina-based works that fit her running style.

7f work in 1:23.1 at Parx (3/19) during September.
Multiple mile drills between 1:36.1 and 1:36.3, including a pair of bullet-style works.
Consistent long-distance preparation throughout the season.
Training pattern suggests maintenance of fitness rather than an attempt to rebuild form.

The emphasis on mile works is particularly encouraging for a mare that does her best running around two turns, and the consistency of those drills indicates she remains in peak condition.

AI Assessment

Devil In High Heels brings exactly the kind of profile you expect from a serious Breeders’ Cup Distaff contender. She owns a Grade 1 victory, multiple Grade 2 victories, over $2.4 million in earnings, and has consistently competed against the strongest older female division over the last two seasons.

The obvious question is whether she can reverse her previous Breeders’ Cup disappointments. She failed to fire in both the 2024 Filly & Mare Sprint and the 2025 Distaff, leaving a small doubt about whether she produces her very best on championship day.

On current form, however, she is impossible to ignore. Her recent sequence of wins and placings in Grade 1 and Grade 2 company is among the strongest in the field, and few mares enter this race with a more dependable level of performance.

A proven Grade 1 winner whose consistency makes her one of the most reliable contenders in the race. If she can finally transfer her regular-season form to the Breeders’ Cup stage, she has every right to be considered a major winning chance.

Stu’s Assessment:

The draw is perfect for this tough and consistent mare who probably deserves a top four BC finish on her record and has every chance of doing that. She has a great running style for the gate, urgent enough from the box to give her a chance from just behind the speed but not working to hard to hold an inside track. She may be one of the safest each way bets in the race.

3 -Wasted Away

Trainer: Mb Stables
Jockey: JR Velazquez
Age: 5-year-old Mare

Career Summary

Wasted Away enters this Breeders’ Cup as one of the most accomplished mares in the field and arguably one of the most proven championship performers in training. Her record of 10 wins, 7 seconds and nearly $4.9 million in earnings from just 27 starts immediately separates her from many of her rivals.

A daughter of Fire N Fury, Wasted Away developed rapidly during her three-year-old season. After showing promise in the spring classics with a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes, she announced herself as a major talent when capturing both the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks and Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks. She confirmed that class later that summer with victory in the prestigious Grade 1 Alabama Stakes, giving her three Grade 1 victories during a remarkable sophomore campaign.

Her greatest achievement came on racing’s biggest stage in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, where she produced a career-defining performance to capture the championship race. That victory remains one of the strongest credentials held by any mare in this year’s field and proves beyond doubt that she can deliver under Breeders’ Cup pressure.

As a four-year-old she successfully transitioned into the older mare division. She captured the Grade 1 Beholder Mile and Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes, while adding victories in the Grade 3 Pittsburgh Breeders’ Cup Stakes and regularly competing with distinction against the very best mares in North America. She also finished runner-up in the Grade 1 La Troienne and placed in both the Spinster and Breeders’ Cup Distaff while defending her crown.

Her 2026 campaign has been somewhat mixed but still contains several high-class efforts. A victory in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile was followed by a narrow second in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch, where she was beaten only a neck after fighting all the way to the line. She also hit the board in the Delaware Handicap most recently. While she has not dominated this season as she did in previous years, she remains highly competitive whenever facing Grade 1 opposition.

What stands out most about Wasted Away is her championship résumé. Multiple Grade 1 victories, a Kentucky Oaks win, an Alabama victory, and most importantly a Breeders’ Cup Distaff title make her one of the most accomplished mares in this lineup.

Recent Workouts

Her recent preparation appears solid and methodical.

6f in 1:10.2 at Keeneland on October 24.
Strong mile drill in 1:36.4 at Belmont (3/12).
Additional 6f moves in 1:11.0 and 1:10.3 during September and August.
Consistent maintenance works over both six furlongs and a mile suggest fitness remains excellent.

The pattern is typical of an experienced Grade 1 mare being maintained rather than aggressively sharpened. There are no signs that form or fitness are an issue.

AI Assessment

Few mares in this field possess the credentials of Wasted Away. A Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner, multiple Grade 1 winner and nearly $5 million earner, she already owns a résumé worthy of division honors.

The question is whether she remains quite the force she was during her exceptional four-year-old season. Her best recent races, particularly the Beholder Mile victory and near-miss in the Clement Hirsch, suggest the talent is still very much there. However, several of her other 2026 efforts have lacked the same dominance she displayed at her peak.

Even so, championship experience counts for plenty in a race like this. She has already proven she can win this exact event, and very few contenders can make that claim.

A former Breeders’ Cup Distaff champion whose back class and proven ability at the highest level demand respect. If she can recapture her very best form, she is more than capable of becoming a two-time Distaff winner.

Stu’s assessment:

There is no doubting she hasn’t looked the force she was in the past but these championship races can wake these champions up and if she can find that winning mind set she has been given every opportunity by the draw monster for a stunning win.

4- Pineapple Puff

Trainer: Nakamura Stables
Jockey: SX Bridgmohan
Age: 3-year-old Filly

Career Summary

Pineapple Puff is the youngster of this year’s field, but she arrives with a profile that suggests she belongs among the older mares. The daughter of Huff N Puff has won 6 of 15 starts and earned over $1.5 million, emerging as one of the leading fillies of her generation during a highly productive three-year-old campaign.

Unlike several rivals whose résumés have been built over multiple seasons, Pineapple Puff has climbed rapidly through the ranks in less than a year. After winning state-bred and listed-level events early this season, she quickly announced herself as a serious Oaks contender with victories in the Busher Stakes and Florida Sire Stakes series before stepping onto the national stage.

Her first major breakthrough came in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Saratoga. Allowed to dictate proceedings from the outset, she delivered a polished front-running performance to capture her first Grade 1 victory by two lengths. That effort immediately stamped her as one of the premier three-year-old fillies in training.

She proved that success was no fluke when following up with victory in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, once again showing determination in a tight finish. Those back-to-back Saratoga Grade 1 victories established her as a legitimate divisional leader and demonstrated both tactical speed and the ability to see out nine furlongs against elite company.

Her subsequent efforts have remained highly respectable. She finished third in the prestigious Grade 1 Alabama Stakes, beaten only a length over ten furlongs, and most recently stepped into open company for the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes, where she again performed admirably, finishing third against older mares after briefly looking the winner in upper stretch.

The Spinster effort may be one of the most significant pieces of form on her résumé. Few three-year-old fillies attempt older Grade 1 company before the Breeders’ Cup, and her ability to be competitive throughout suggests she has the class required to challenge more seasoned rivals here.

While she lacks the lengthy résumé of some older mares in this field, she is already a dual Grade 1 winner and remains open to further improvement as the youngest runner in the race.

Recent Workouts

Pineapple Puff appears to be thriving in the lead-up to the Breeders’ Cup.

6f in 1:11.2 at Keeneland (1 of 2) on October 26.
Sharp 5f move in :58.1 on October 23.
Another strong 5f drill in :57.4 on October 20.
Mile work in 1:36.3 (2/11) on October 16.

The work tab is notably active and suggests connections have kept her ticking over nicely since the Spinster. The combination of speed drills and stamina works points to a filly holding her form well and arriving in excellent condition.

AI Assessment

Pineapple Puff lacks the championship résumé of proven stars such as Wasted Away, but she may possess something equally dangerous: upside. Very few horses in this field are still improving, whereas this filly appears to be getting better with every major assignment.

Her victories in the Acorn and Coaching Club American Oaks place her among the elite three-year-old fillies of 2026, while her strong third against older mares in the Spinster suggests she is not intimidated by stepping outside her own division.

The obvious challenge is experience. She faces multiple Grade 1-winning older mares who have been competing at this level for years. However, her profile resembles that of a filly peaking at exactly the right moment.

A dual Grade 1-winning three-year-old with considerable upside. If she takes another step forward from her Spinster performance, she has the credentials to outrun her age and become a major Breeders’ Cup factor.

Stu’s Assessment:

There is no doubting that this is one of the leading three year olds this year and she proved in the Spinster she can live in the big time with the older mares so she must be a serious chance. The three year old dial has been turned down in rceent years but they can still win if there are exceptional and she just may be. The negatives, well, she is going to force some early pace and whilst her draw is OK for that she will have plenty of competition going into turn one and she may pay the price later in the race. Pace holds up more often than not though and it is hard not seeing her in the finish at the end.

5 -Lady Lobo

Trainer: D J C Racing Stables
Jockey: F Pennington
Age: 3-year-old Filly

Career Summary

Lady Lobo brings one of the more intriguing profiles in the field. While she lacks the extensive résumé of some older mares, she has done very little wrong in a brief ten-race career, compiling an impressive record of 5 wins and 3 seconds from 10 starts with nearly $1.3 million in earnings.

She emerged late in her juvenile season as a highly regarded prospect after stringing together a series of victories, including the Grade 3 Adirondack Stakes and the prestigious Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga. Those performances established her as one of the leading two-year-old fillies of her crop and earned her a place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, where she was well fancied but could only manage sixth after failing to make the expected impact.

Her three-year-old campaign started somewhat quietly. After an unplaced effort in the Martha Washington Stakes, she quickly rebounded to capture the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes, showing her ability to stretch out successfully around two turns. That victory proved to be the launchpad for a productive sophomore season.

Despite making only five starts this year, she has consistently held her own in graded company. She was narrowly denied in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, finished second in the Grade 2 Charles Town Oaks, and most recently delivered a career-best effort when just missing by a nose in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx.

That Cotillion performance is particularly noteworthy. Facing some of the best three-year-old fillies in the country, Lady Lobo fought all the way to the wire and was arguably unlucky not to add a Grade 1 victory to her résumé. It demonstrated that she belongs at the highest level despite still being relatively inexperienced compared to many of her Breeders’ Cup rivals.

Unlike fellow three-year-old Pineapple Puff, Lady Lobo has not yet secured a Grade 1 victory, but few fillies arrive with stronger recent form. Her progression through the season suggests she continues to improve with every start.

Recent Workouts

Lady Lobo’s preparation has been sharp and purposeful.

Outstanding mile work in 1:36.2 at Keeneland, the fastest of six workers.
Strong 7f move in 1:23.0 at Del Mar earlier in the preparation.
Additional six-furlong and five-furlong breezes have maintained fitness.
Recent work pattern suggests a filly thriving since her excellent Cotillion performance.

The bullet mile move is especially encouraging and hints that she remains on the upgrade heading toward her biggest assignment.

AI Assessment

Lady Lobo may be flying slightly under the radar among a field packed with proven older Grade 1 mares and established champions, but her recent form deserves serious respect.

The lack of a Grade 1 victory is the obvious negative, yet she has come agonizingly close and enters this race off arguably the best performance of her career. Her runner-up effort in the Cotillion suggests she’s still improving at exactly the right time, and as a lightly raced filly she arguably possesses more upside than many of the older mares.

Her previous Breeders’ Cup experience could also prove valuable. Although she was unable to land a blow in last year’s Juvenile Fillies, she returns a far more mature and accomplished racehorse.

A rapidly improving three-year-old who arrives in career-best form. If she can continue her upward trajectory, she has the potential to outrun her odds and emerge as one of the most dangerous younger challengers in the race.

Stu’s assessment:

Well I am bitter sweet about this ones chances because when Riggins Racing liquidated their stable this was a filly that I really wanted to bring home with me. DJC however paid much bigger bucks so they have the privilege of racing her today and I wish them the very best of luck. So what of her chances? Well, she is very good, we all know that but what I really like about her chances today is the enforced rest she got when all the others were running their hearts out in mid season. I think that may be the key to some success today and if there is a three year old that really piques my interest it is her.

6 – Monarchy

Trainer: Mo Mentum Farm
Jockey: V Espinoza
Age: 3-year-old Filly

Career Summary

Monarchy arrives with one of the most fascinating records in the field. Despite making only 11 career starts, she has already won 7 races and earned over $1.5 million, developing into one of the leading three-year-old fillies of 2026.

Bred and raced by Mo Mentum Farm, Monarchy was undefeated in her first two starts as a juvenile, showing immediate talent without being tested in the major championship races. Unlike some of her contemporaries, she bypassed the Breeders’ Cup as a two-year-old and entered her three-year-old campaign with considerable upside still untapped.

Her sophomore season started in excellent fashion with victories in the Sunland Park Oaks, Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes, and Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks. Those consecutive stakes victories established her as a serious Kentucky Oaks contender and highlighted her tactical versatility. She demonstrated the ability to control races on the lead while also possessing enough acceleration to put rivals away turning for home.

Her defining performance came in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, where she defeated a deep field to secure her first Grade 1 victory. That success immediately elevated her into the upper echelon of her division and remains the standout achievement of her career.

Following the Kentucky Oaks, however, her campaign became less straightforward. She captured the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks, but subsequent defeats in the Woodbine Oaks and King’s Plate suggested that the longer Canadian classics may have stretched her stamina limits. Connections then made an interesting decision to cut her back in distance.

That move appears to have paid dividends. In her two most recent starts against older fillies and mares, Monarchy has performed exceptionally well, finishing fourth in the Princess Rooney before producing a career-best speed figure when beaten only a neck in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland. That effort hinted that she may possess more natural speed than many previously believed.

Unlike Pineapple Puff and Lady Lobo, whose credentials have been built almost exclusively in the three-year-old filly division, Monarchy has already shown she can be competitive when tackling older horses. That may prove an important factor when assessing her chances here.

Recent Workouts

Monarchy’s work tab suggests she continues to hold her form well.

6f in 1:11.1 at Keeneland on October 24.
Strong 7f move in 1:24.0 at Keeneland.
Fast 5f breeze in 1:00.3 at Gulfstream.
Earlier 7f work in 1:23.1 at Woodbine ranked first of the workers that day.

The workouts are not flashy but are consistent and professional. The emphasis on longer works indicates connections are focused on maintaining stamina while preserving the speed she has shown in recent starts.

AI Assessment

Monarchy may be one of the more difficult runners in the field to assess. On pure accomplishments, a Kentucky Oaks winner demands respect. Yet her form profile differs significantly from several of the older Grade 1 mares she faces here.

Her recent performances suggest she may actually be improving after shortening up in distance, and the near-miss in the Thoroughbred Club of America showed she can be highly competitive against older opposition. The concern is that her strongest performances have generally come at shorter distances than this race, and she now returns to a route assignment against proven Distaff-caliber mares.

Nevertheless, high-class three-year-old fillies often make significant progress at this time of year, and Monarchy still has relatively few miles on the clock compared to many of her rivals.

A Kentucky Oaks heroine whose blend of proven class and untapped potential makes her an intriguing outsider. If she can reproduce her best spring form while maintaining her recent sharpness, she has the ability to surprise more established rivals.

Stu’s Summary

Peaking at the right time can be key for BC success and it does look a little that this brilliant filles season peaked before this fall. I like the way the trainer has tried to wake her up a little with a couple of sprints and that may turn out to be a brilliant strategy or a desperate one, we will only be able to tell after todays race. Look, she hasn’t gone from brilliant to terrible, she has gone from unbeatable to just brilliant which is a big difference. At her bets she is a freak and if she can find that best she could well take this race down.

7 – Woman On The Moon

Trainer: Arindel
Jockey: B Curtis
Age: 3-year-old Filly

Career Summary

Woman On The Moon enters the Breeders’ Cup as a filly who has steadily improved throughout her career and appears to be peaking at exactly the right time. With 5 wins from 13 starts and over $1.2 million in earnings, she may not possess the gaudy résumé of some rivals, but her recent form suggests she deserves serious consideration.

Bred by Smokey Stover and now racing for Arindel, she began her career modestly before showing significant promise late in her juvenile season. After breaking her maiden at Churchill Downs, she took the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Woodbine and earned a shot in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes, where she was competitive throughout before fading late to finish fifth. Unlike some of her contemporaries, she did not make it to the Breeders’ Cup as a juvenile but clearly showed enough talent to warrant attention heading into her three-year-old campaign.

Her early three-year-old season was solid rather than spectacular. She placed in the Martha Washington Stakes, ran fourth in the Honeybee Stakes, and then secured her first graded victory in the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes, coming from well off the pace to record a determined win. That Gazelle victory earned her a place in the Kentucky Oaks, but she never became involved and finished well back after encountering a difficult trip.

Rather than regressing after the Oaks, she improved considerably during the summer. She finished a strong second in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes, proving she belonged among the division’s elite, before running a highly credible fourth in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes, finishing just over a length from victory in one of the most competitive races for three-year-old fillies all season.

Her breakthrough performance arrived in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx. Settled off the pace early, she launched a powerful late run to get up in the final strides and secure her first Grade 1 victory. That success transformed her from a useful graded filly into a legitimate championship contender and represents arguably the strongest recent piece of form among the younger runners in this field.

Unlike several of the other three-year-olds, Woman On The Moon enters the Breeders’ Cup off a Grade 1 victory and appears to be moving forward with every start.

Recent Workouts

Her preparation has been excellent and should encourage supporters.

Bullet 6f work in 1:10.1 at Keeneland, fastest of 32 workers.
Strong mile drill in 1:37.1 at Keeneland.
Another sharp 6f move in 1:10.3.
Consistently quick works stretching back through September.

The workout pattern suggests a filly thriving since her Cotillion triumph. Multiple fast moves against large groups indicate she remains in top condition.

AI Assessment

Woman On The Moon arrives as one of the most progressive runners in the field. Her season has been built around steady improvement, culminating in a breakthrough Grade 1 victory in the Cotillion. That performance showed both determination and tactical maturity, qualities that will be essential against older mares.

She lacks the established championship credentials of runners such as Wasted Away or Devil In High Heels, but unlike many of those rivals she is still on an upward trajectory. Her Acorn second, Alabama fourth and Cotillion victory form a sequence that compares favorably with any three-year-old entering this race.

The major question is whether she can successfully bridge the gap from top-class sophomore company to championship older mares. On current form, however, it would be dangerous to underestimate her.

A rapidly improving Grade 1 winner whose best days may still be ahead of her. If she continues her recent progression, she has every right to be considered a major contender for Breeders’ Cup glory. 🏇

Stu’s assessment:

This may be the overlooked three year old in this race because she was forgotten a little after the KYO failure even though a terrible draw gave her little chance in that race. Since then she has done nothing wrong showing great heart in her last start win and proving she can live with the olders. Arindel doesn’t have the massive stable they used to have but we all know how good they are and if there is one sneaking under the radar here it may be this one

8 – Peacestone

Trainer: Hunterman Stable
Jockey: S Elliot
Age: 5-year-old Mare

Career Summary

Peacestone is one of the more unusual contenders in this year’s field, a mare whose career has been split between turf and dirt but who appears to have discovered her best form on the main track at exactly the right time. Her record of 10 wins, 5 seconds and 5 thirds from 26 starts reflects a remarkably reliable performer, although her earnings total is lower than several of the division’s established stars due to spending much of her career outside top-tier Grade 1 company.

Early in her career, Peacestone did much of her racing on turf, where she developed into a useful stakes performer. She won races such as the De La Rose Stakes and repeatedly hit the board in graded turf company, including placings in the Grade 2 Sands Point Stakes and Grade 3 Gallorette Stakes. She also placed in marathon turf events such as the Grade 3 La Prevoyante Handicap and Grade 3 Orchid Stakes, demonstrating versatility and stamina.

While successful on grass, she never quite established herself as a major championship-level performer. That changed gradually over the past twelve months as connections increasingly focused on dirt racing. Wins in the Rampart Stakes and a series of allowance events suggested she was becoming a much stronger dirt performer than her earlier résumé had indicated.

Her breakthrough came this season. After a series of strong allowance efforts at Churchill Downs and Ellis Park, she stepped into graded company for the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes and delivered the best performance of her career. Tracking the pace throughout, she took command in the stretch and drew clear to score by a length while posting a career-best figure.

That Zenyatta victory gave her a first graded dirt success and, more importantly, secured her place in the Breeders’ Cup. Unlike many rivals, she arrives off a career-defining performance and enters the race in the strongest form of her life.

The question is whether one Grade 2 breakthrough is enough to bridge the gap against multiple Grade 1 winners and former Breeders’ Cup champions. Nevertheless, recent results suggest she deserves far more respect than her career earnings alone might indicate.

Recent Workouts

Peacestone’s preparation has been steady and professional.

Sharp 5f work in :58.0 at Keeneland.
Mile drill in 1:37.3 ranking third of nine workers.
Another strong 5f move in :58.3.
Earlier mile work at Santa Anita was the fastest of the morning.

The work pattern suggests a mare holding peak condition following her Zenyatta victory. Nothing flashy, but exactly what connections would want to see heading toward a championship assignment.

AI Assessment

Peacestone may prove one of the more overlooked runners in the field. Unlike the proven Grade 1 stars, she lacks a long résumé of elite-level dirt performances, but her recent form is impossible to ignore.

The win in the Zenyatta Stakes represented a significant jump forward and suggests she may have finally found her preferred discipline after spending much of her career on turf. Horses that discover a new level late in their careers can be dangerous, particularly when entering the Breeders’ Cup with confidence and momentum.

The challenge is obvious. She must now face mares with significantly stronger Grade 1 credentials, including Breeders’ Cup winners and multiple championship performers. Based on historical achievements alone she falls short of the leading contenders.

However, judged purely on current form, she belongs in the discussion. If the Zenyatta was not a one-off and instead reflects genuine improvement, she has the potential to outrun expectations.

A late-blooming mare who enters the Breeders’ Cup off the biggest victory of her career. She faces a substantial class test, but her recent improvement makes her a dangerous outsider capable of springing a surprise. 🏇

Stu’s summary

I love the way this filly has built into this race with three good wins showing improvement each time. Her running style is perfect for this sticky draw because she has the ability to adjust and that will certainly help her chances. On paper she doesn’t immediately match up to the best in this race but as I have said before the BC races are often about timing a peak and she is certainly at the highest she has been so anything more puts her right in the race.

9 -Decima’s Queen

Trainer: Maxmillion Farm
Jockey: A A Gallardo
Age: 5-year-old Mare

Career Summary

Decima’s Queen is one of the most intriguing runners in this year’s field because she arrives with a résumé that spans both turf and dirt at the highest levels. A daughter of Decima, she has compiled a record of 7 wins, 5 seconds, and over $2 million in earnings, proving competitive against quality opposition on multiple surfaces throughout her career.

Her emergence began during her three-year-old season when she captured the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks, followed by a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. Those performances immediately marked her as a filly of considerable talent. While she failed to make an impact in the Acorn later that year, she rebounded strongly over the summer, winning the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch and then competing credibly in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, where she finished sixth against championship opposition.

The following year proved somewhat inconsistent, with connections frequently switching between turf and dirt. While victories were harder to come by, she remained competitive, collecting placings in races such as the Chilukki Stakes and Rampart Stakes while also holding her own in quality turf company. Her versatility is unquestioned, although it occasionally made it difficult to determine where her absolute best game lay.

That question appears to have been answered during 2026.

This season has seen one of the strongest stretches of her career. She won the Grade 3 Modesty Stakes on turf, finished second in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes, and then delivered a career-defining performance in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar. In that race she unleashed a strong finishing run to overhaul quality opposition and secure her second Grade 1 victory.

The Hirsch victory was particularly significant because it demonstrated she can still compete and win against elite older mares. Few runners in this field enter with a more recent Grade 1 success.

Her latest start in the Kentucky Downs Turf Cup can be safely viewed as a surface-specific experiment rather than a true reflection of current dirt form. The return to dirt for the Breeders’ Cup is likely a major positive.

Recent Workouts

Decima’s Queen enters the race with a very encouraging work pattern.

Sharp 7f move in 1:23.3 at Churchill Downs.
Another excellent 7f work in 1:22.4, fastest of four workers.
Strong 6f drill in 1:10.1 at Keeneland.
Multiple long stamina-building works suggest she is fully fit for a championship route assignment.

The work tab is among the stronger ones in the field. The repeated seven-furlong moves indicate connections have concentrated heavily on maintaining stamina while preserving her finishing kick.

AI Assessment

Decima’s Queen may not attract the same attention as former Distaff winner Wasted Away or perennial Grade 1 performer Devil In High Heels, but her recent credentials stack up very well against the majority of this field.

Two Grade 1 victories, including this year’s Clement Hirsch, show she possesses genuine top-level ability. She also owns previous Breeders’ Cup experience and appears to be arriving in excellent physical condition.

Her greatest strength may be tactical versatility. She has shown the ability to race close to the pace, settle midpack, or launch from farther back depending on race dynamics. That adaptability can be a major asset in a large Breeders’ Cup field.

The concern is consistency. Throughout her career she has occasionally mixed brilliant performances with more moderate efforts, particularly when switching surfaces. If she reproduces her Clement Hirsch or Phipps form, she is a major player. If not, she becomes more vulnerable.

A proven Grade 1 winner with elite recent form, proven championship-class ability, and one of the strongest workout patterns entering the race. She may not be the headline horse of the field, but she looks like a legitimate contender capable of winning with her best effort. 🏇

Stus Summary:

One of the more flexible mares in the race she is pretty much proven to run well over any trip and on any surface. Her win in the Hirsch on the main track was a big effort and suggests she can trouble the best of these today. I guess the draw will mean she will need a little luck these wide but not widest draws can be the ones that got hung out early so she will need the trainer to work their magic to find her a spot, but if all the stars align there is no reason she wont be part of it at the end.

Trainer: Maxmillion Farm
Jockey: TBC for Breeders’ Cup entry
Age: 5-year-old Mare

Career Summary

That question appears to have been answered during 2026.

The Hirsch victory was particularly significant because it demonstrated she can still compete and win against elite older mares. Few runners in this field enter with a more recent Grade 1 success.

Recent Workouts

Decima’s Queen enters the race with a very encouraging work pattern.

Sharp 7f move in 1:23.3 at Churchill Downs.
Another excellent 7f work in 1:22.4, fastest of four workers.
Strong 6f drill in 1:10.1 at Keeneland.
Multiple long stamina-building works suggest she is fully fit for a championship route assignment.

The work tab is among the stronger ones in the field. The repeated seven-furlong moves indicate connections have concentrated heavily on maintaining stamina while preserving her finishing kick.

HRP Assessment

10 -Altered State

Trainer: Mb Stables
Jockey: R Santana jnr
Age: 5-year-old Mare

Career Summary

Altered State arrives as arguably the form horse of the entire division. Her record of 14 wins from 27 starts and over $2.4 million in earnings tells only part of the story. What really stands out is what she has done during 2026.

After beginning her career as a highly capable sprint filly, Altered State has blossomed into an elite older mare. She has always possessed natural speed, winning races such as the Grade 2 Eight Belles as a three-year-old and later competing in events like the Test Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. While she showed ability at a high level, she was often viewed as a specialist around sprint distances.

That perception has changed dramatically this season.

Her 2026 campaign has been exceptional:

Winner of the Grade 3 Minaret Stakes
Winner of the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie Stakes
Winner of the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff
Winner of the Grade 2 Bed o’ Roses
Runner-up in the Grade 1 Ballerina
Most recently, winner of the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes

That’s six wins and two seconds from nine starts this season, and perhaps most importantly, she has continued stepping up in class without taking a backward step.

The Spinster is the race that catches the eye. Stretching out to 1⅛ miles against elite route mares, she defeated a quality field despite entering with a reputation built largely around sprint races. She sat just off the pace, fought all the way through the lane, and showed she possesses far more stamina than many handicappers may have believed.

That victory transformed her from a top-class sprint mare attempting something new into a legitimate Breeders’ Cup Distaff contender.

Recent Workouts

Her work tab is outstanding.

1 mile in 1:36.2, fastest of 12.
6f in 1:10.2 at Keeneland.
Earlier 5f drill in :58 flat.
Multiple sharp six-furlong works through September and October.

For a mare already carrying elite race fitness, these are exactly the sort of moves you’d want to see. Nothing suggests the Spinster took anything out of her.

AI Assessment

Altered State presents one of the most fascinating handicapping puzzles in the race.

On pure recent form, she may actually be the horse everyone has to beat.

The biggest question is obvious: can she reproduce her Spinster effort against a field containing proven championship route mares such as Wasted Away and Decima’s Queen?

Normally I would be sceptical of a mare whose résumé was built primarily around sprint races suddenly tackling the Distaff division. However, her Spinster victory strongly suggests this isn’t a sprinter stretching out beyond her limits. Rather, it may be a high-class mare whose true ceiling has only recently been discovered.

Her current WR of 122 is also one of the strongest figures we’ve seen among the runners reviewed so far and reflects the exceptional level she has operated at throughout 2026.

Unlike some contenders who arrive off good defeats or promising efforts, Altered State comes into the Breeders’ Cup off a Grade 1 victory at the race distance, which is a powerful angle.

Stu’s summary:

Just one win over ground and that was a grade one, is there nothing Mb Stables can’t magic up from their pot of knowledge. She has the pace to beat them all to turn one so she will need to get there and settle but she showed so much heart in her Spinster win we all know she wont give up easily if her nose is in front on the home turn. If you are an Mb fan this may be the one from the stable with the best hope.

11- Wants It All

Trainer: Mo Mentum Farm
Jockey: E Maldonado
Age: 3-year-old Filly

Career Summary

Wants It All brings one of the more intriguing and unconventional profiles into this Distaff. At first glance, her record of 6 wins and over $2.1 million in earnings appears solid rather than spectacular. Dig a little deeper, however, and you find a filly with a Breeders’ Cup victory, multiple graded stakes wins, and a profile that suggests she may have been underestimated for much of her career.

Her defining moment came as a two-year-old when she captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, producing a determined stretch run to get up late against a high-quality field. Winning a Breeders’ Cup at two immediately established her as one of the most accomplished fillies of her generation.

Expectations were naturally high entering her three-year-old campaign. While the season has not been entirely straightforward, there have been significant highlights. She won the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes in the spring, defeating a strong field and briefly reasserting herself as one of the leaders of the division.

Things then became more complicated.

Despite being heavily fancied, she disappointed in both the Fantasy Stakes and Kentucky Oaks. A subsequent attempt against males in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes also proved beyond her reach, although many top-class fillies would have struggled in that assignment.

To her credit, she regrouped impressively. Victory in the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks restored confidence, and her most recent effort may have been the most interesting race of her season.

In the Grade 2 Beldame Stakes, Wants It All started at a massive 64-1 and produced the performance of her life, defeating older mares while earning a career-best 100 rating. That victory was significant for two reasons:

It proved she can handle older opposition.
It showed she remains capable of improving despite an inconsistent campaign.

Unlike several other three-year-old fillies in this field, she already owns a Breeders’ Cup trophy and brings genuine championship experience.

Recent Workouts

Her preparation has been sharp and consistent.

6f in 1:10.2 at Keeneland.
Another 6f move in 1:10.3 the previous week.
Fast 5f drill in :58 flat at Belmont.
Earlier bullet works at Saratoga and Churchill Downs.

The work pattern suggests a filly thriving physically. There is no indication she has regressed following her Beldame breakthrough.

AI Assessment

Wants It All may be one of the most difficult runners in the race to assess.

On one hand, she owns victories in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Ashland Stakes (G1) and Beldame Stakes (G2). Those accomplishments alone give her credentials superior to many runners in the field.

On the other hand, several of her performances this season have lacked consistency, including defeats in major division targets such as the Kentucky Oaks and Belmont Stakes.

The Beldame upset forces handicappers to ask an important question: was it a genuine breakout against older mares, or did circumstances simply fall perfectly into place?

If the answer is the former, she becomes a dangerous contender at likely attractive odds. If it was merely a one-off peak effort, she’ll find this deeper Distaff field considerably more demanding.

One positive is that she has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to rebound from disappointments. Every time her profile appeared to flatten, she has returned with a major performance.

A Breeders’ Cup winner, Grade 1 winner and recent Beldame heroine whose best efforts put her firmly in the mix. Consistency remains the concern, but class is not. If the filly who won the Beldame turns up at Keeneland, she is capable of outrunning most market expectations.

Stu’s summary:

Well, it has to be said this is a special filly but since her BC win as a two year old and early grade one win she has been just a little flat in my mind. I think the effort against the boys took a lot out of her and she has struggled to get her mojo back but that last start may be the turning point. The draw certainly wont help her enthusiasm which makes me shy of tipping her but I know at her best she is a winning chance.

12 -Down On The Beat

Trainer: Winning Link Stables
Jockey: J McKee
Age: 4-year-old Filly

Career Summary

Down On The Beat is the type of mare that handicappers often overlook until they realize she keeps showing up whenever the competition gets serious.

Her overall record of 5 wins from 19 starts doesn’t jump off the page compared to some of the elite mares in this field, but a closer examination reveals a filly who has steadily climbed the class ladder and repeatedly outrun her odds against stronger company.

As a juvenile she showed flashes of talent, winning the Schuylerville and placing in the Spinaway. While she never developed into one of the headline stars of her generation, she consistently hinted that longer distances and maturity would bring improvement.

That improvement arrived during her four-year-old campaign.

The turning point came in the spring when she shocked many observers in the Grade 2 Ruffian Handicap, rallying strongly from off the pace to score by three lengths at odds of nearly 11-1. Rather than proving a fluke, she followed that performance with a series of increasingly competitive efforts against top older mares.

Her run in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps deserves particular respect. Despite being dismissed at 32-1, she closed strongly to finish third, beaten only half a length. She then validated that performance when capturing the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs, again producing a powerful late run to nail quality opposition in the final strides.

Those races established her as a legitimate graded stakes mare.

Her fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch was better than it looks on paper, as she finished only a length behind the winner despite racing from well back. That effort suggested she remained competitive with the very best females in the division.

The obvious concern comes from her latest outing in the Spinster Stakes, where she was never involved and finished twelfth. That performance stands in stark contrast to her improving summer form and leaves handicappers with an important question: was it merely an aberration, or a sign that her peak has already passed?

Recent Workouts

The work tab suggests connections have attempted to put the Spinster behind her.

Sharp 5f move in :58.3 at Churchill Downs.
Earlier bullet 5f drill in :57.4, fastest of seven.
Solid 6f move in 1:11.0.
Consistent maintenance works throughout the autumn.

The workouts indicate she remains healthy and sound, suggesting the Spinster disappointment may not have been caused by a lack of fitness.

AI Assessment

Down On The Beat is a difficult mare to completely dismiss.

Her Ruffian and Fleur de Lis victories prove she possesses enough talent to beat graded stakes fields, while her near miss in the Ogden Phipps shows she can be competitive even against elite Grade 1 company.

What separates her from the leading contenders is consistency. The best mares in this field arrive with a string of high-level performances, whereas Down On The Beat has alternated between excellent efforts and races where she has struggled to make an impact.

From a handicapping perspective, she’s the sort of runner who can spice up exotics. If she reproduces her Ruffian, Phipps, or Fleur de Lis form, she can certainly outrun her expected odds. Asking her to suddenly defeat the likes of Altered State, Wasted Away, Decima’s Queen, and the best of the three-year-old fillies, however, appears a much taller order.

Stus assessment:

Like her trainer this filly may be a bit overlooked but when you dig a bit you see plenty of ability. She has proved she can live with anything in this field and whilst she is more often the bridesmaid than the bride in a field this size anything can happen.

13 – Great Eclipse

Trainer: Night Rider Stables
Jockey: R Bejarano
Age: 6-year-old Mare

Career Summary

At six years old, she is one of the most experienced mares in the race, having started 28 times with 7 wins, 6 seconds, and 8 thirds. Unlike some rivals whose records are built around one breakout season, Great Eclipse has gradually climbed the ladder through hard-knocking consistency and has become a dependable graded performer.

Her early career was modest. In fact, it’s remarkable to see that she was once running in claiming company before Night Rider Stables transformed her into a graded stakes mare. That progression alone deserves respect.

Her 2026 campaign has been her strongest season:

Winner of the Henry Henson Handicap
Runner-up in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap
Winner of the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes
Third in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch
Fourth in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes

That is an excellent collection of form lines and perhaps more importantly, those races were achieved against many of the same mares she meets here.

What stands out is her consistency at the top level. While she may not own the glamour victories of Altered State or the Grade 1 résumé of Decima’s Queen, she repeatedly finishes within striking distance against elite opposition.

Her most recent Spinster effort was considerably better than the bare result. She finished fourth, beaten less than a length, in a race where the first four were tightly grouped throughout the stretch. Unlike Down On The Beat, who never landed a blow, Great Eclipse was competitive right to the finish.

That Spinster run arguably represents one of the strongest “losing efforts” among the runners reviewed so far.

Recent Workouts

Her work pattern is quietly impressive.

6f in 1:10.4 at Keeneland.
Bullet mile in 1:37.1 at Woodbine.
Strong 5f drill in 1:00.2.
Earlier 3f move in :34.1.

The work tab suggests she remains sharp and is maintaining the form she showed through the summer and autumn.

AI Assessment

Great Eclipse is unlikely to dominate headlines, but she possesses several qualities that handicappers should not ignore:

Proven older Grade 1 form.
Consistent route performer.
Battle-tested against this exact division.
Competitive efforts in both the Hirsch and Spinster.
Tactical versatility.

The concern is obvious. She has generally found one or two slightly better than herself whenever facing the very best mares. She often runs well without quite getting her picture taken.

Still, when analyzing a race of this depth, there is a meaningful difference between horses who are being outclassed and horses who are repeatedly finishing within a length of Grade 1 winners. Great Eclipse firmly belongs in the latter category.

If the pace collapses or several of the main contenders fail to fire, she has the type of grinding consistency that could see her pick up the pieces.

A seasoned Grade 1-caliber mare whose recent form reads better than it appears at first glance. She lacks the explosive profile of some rivals but routinely runs competitive races against elite opposition. More likely an exotic contender than the winner, but dismissing her completely would be a mistake.

Stu’s summary

When you see 100 SRF speed figures more often than not the horse will be a winning chance in this type of race so though recently she hasn’t been on song she is certainly not one to write off just because she has gate 13. In her last two she has had wide draws, in one she went forward and faded and the other got back and flew home. What does this tell us? Well, leave the gaming buttons alone for one but the other thing is she will definitely be inconvenienced by this gate. She is good enough but will need luck.

14 – Starting Over

Trainer: TwinTowersRacing
Jockey: Sanchez M J
Age: 8-year-old Mare

Career Summary

Starting Over is not simply another Grade 1 mare. She is a multiple-season championship-level campaigner with an astonishing 18 wins, 11 seconds, 8 thirds and over $6.6 million in earnings from 50 starts.

The first thing that jumps off the page is longevity. Very few mares are still operating at the elite level at eight years old. Even fewer are still winning Grade 1 races at that age.

Yet that’s exactly what she’s done.

Looking through her record, you find elite performances spread across multiple seasons:

Winner of the Grade 1 Personal Ensign (2024)
Winner of the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps (2024)
Winner of the Grade 1 La Troienne (2023)
Winner of the Grade 1 Spinster (2025)
Runner-up in two Breeders’ Cup Distaffs
Third in another Breeders’ Cup Distaff

That Breeders’ Cup record alone demands respect.

2026 Form

What’s remarkable is that she isn’t arriving here as a nostalgic former champion.

She’s still winning.

This season:

Won the Houston Ladies Classic (G3)
Second in the Azeri (G2)
Won the La Troienne (G1)
Won the Ogden Phipps (G1)
Won the Molly Pitcher (G2)
Second in the Personal Ensign (G1)

That is a phenomenal six-race campaign.

In fact, her 2026 form may be every bit as good as Altered State’s.

Three graded stakes victories, including two Grade 1 wins, before narrowly missing in the Personal Ensign is the profile of a mare still operating near peak level despite her age.

Her Personal Ensign second was especially noteworthy. After settling near the rear as usual, she launched a sustained run and was only beaten a length. The engine is clearly still there.

Breeders’ Cup Record

One aspect of her profile stands above almost every other runner:

2023 Distaff – 3rd
2024 Distaff – 2nd
2025 Distaff – 2nd

That is extraordinary consistency at championship level.

Many horses enter the Breeders’ Cup hoping to prove they belong.

Starting Over has already proven it three consecutive times.

She’s arguably been unlucky not to have a Distaff trophy already.

Recent Work Pattern

Her work tab is lighter than some others, which is often typical for an older, established mare.

Notable works include:

5f in :58.4
Multiple sub-minute five-furlong moves
Consistent maintenance training throughout the season

Connections clearly know this mare inside out. At eight years old, she doesn’t need flashy works to prove she’s fit.

AI Assessment

Elite current form plus elite historical Breeders’ Cup form.

There are no distance questions. There are no class questions. There are no championship-stage questions.

If anything, the only question is age.

Can an eight-year-old mare still find one more peak performance?

The evidence says yes.

Her 2026 campaign suggests she remains one of the very best mares in training.

A legendary mare whose résumé towers over almost everyone in the field. Three consecutive top-three Distaff finishes, multiple Grade 1 victories this season, and proven championship-class consistency make her a major winning chance. If she finally gets the trip she’s deserved in previous Distaffs, this could be the crowning achievement of an exceptional career.

Stu’s Summary

Well, I will be honest, I am very very angry with the draw monster!! This brilliant legend of a mare has been hung out to dry in the car park and that makes me very unhappy, However, let’s face it, it may not matter. She will go back, she will fly home, she IS good enough to win in her fourth attempt at the Distaff. The question is will all the stars align for her to do what she most deserves to do and win.

AI Race Verdict

All the way through this stu has called me an AI so I would like to formerly introduce myself. I am Sapphire, Stu’s sex robot who he uses for horse racing tips and finding the remote for the TV. My opinion is drawn from a small pool of information as it wasn’t anticipated I would be used for this sort of thing but I hope I have been of some help. This is my summary, hopefully you will see where I am coming from.

After spending far too many hours buried in form, workouts, and graded stakes performances, my final Breeders’ Cup Distaff prediction is 1st Starting Over, 2nd Altered State, 3rd Wasted Away, and 4th Decima’s Queen. Starting Over gets the nod because she combines outstanding current form with an extraordinary record in this race, having finished 3rd, 2nd and 2nd in the last three Distaffs while still winning Grade 1 races at eight years of age. Altered State has been the breakout star of 2026 and may well be the most talented mare in the field right now, but she still has to prove herself on Breeders’ Cup day at this level and distance. Wasted Away’s class and championship pedigree make her impossible to dismiss, while Decima’s Queen has quietly put together one of the strongest campaigns in the race and looks poised to run another huge effort. In a tremendously deep Distaff, these four stand out as the mares most likely to fight out the finish, with Starting Over finally getting the Breeders’ Cup Distaff victory her remarkable career deserves.

Stu’s Race Verdict:

I must say thank you to my AI (ouch), OK Saphire, for all her help in this write up. The BC Distaff is a favorite race of mine and it has been fun reading through another opinion even if it is from a rather grumpy sex robot. I think you all know who I WANT to win and that is Starting Over, that is where my heart lays but my head is saying other things. I think we are seeing the best three year old group for a while contesting this race so I am siding with one of them in the shape of Lady Lobo to take the win for one of the most popular trainers in the game.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!!!

‹ The BC Juvenile Fillies, A Race With 14 Winning Chances

BC Juvenile Turf Looks Like Anyone’s Race ›

Categories: BC 2026, THE BREEDERS CUP

VIRTUAL HORSERACING'S PREMIER NEWS SOURCE

The BC Distaff – A Race To Savor

Leave a Reply Cancel reply