BC Distaff – Grade 1 – $2,000.000

SA – 1 1/8 Mile – Dirt

For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward

November 4, 2023

This field represents the best of the best fillies and mares. Wavy Girl is eye-popping, coming in riding high on a three-race win streak that includes two Grade 1s. She seems to be coming into her own at exactly the right time. Looks like her main competition may come from Jinxed Artist, four-year-old filly coming in off a win in the Spinster. The speed in this race should come from Ask Forfree Delivery and Pink Attack, either of which could be there at the wire. This is going to be a good one!

Here’s the field:

1 Scarlett Dream (Arindel)

Part of a dead heat for fourth in the KY Oaks, this filly came back to win the CCA Oaks by a neck. Last out she dead heated for second in the Cotillion. Speed figures are strong. Works are solid. Primed by a big performance.

2 Wavy Girl (Saratoga Stud)

Coming in on a big three-race win streak that includes two Grade 1s – the Hirsch Stakes and the Cotillion. This year she has not finished off the board in six starts. This filly is a monster. Wouldn’t be surprised to see her in the winner’s circle.

3 Celine (D J C Racing Stables)

Second in the Acorn and the Alabama, she didn’t fare so well in her last start in the Cotillion. Could be she didn’t like the off going, but she has won on a wet track before. Don’t count her out, but she will need to step up her game a bit.

4 Shining Moments (RNP Stables)

Five-year-old mare with a lot of run left in her. Hasn’t hit the board in her last few starts, but she had a big spring and summer with a string of in-the-money finishes including a win in the Apple Blossom Handicap (Grade 1). Needs to get back to that form to compete here.

5 Drink Me Pretty (Mb Stables)

Second in the Personal Ensign (Grade 1) two starts back. That’s her best performance since winning the Santa Maria in April. Works are strong, but she needs a big performance to win here.

6 Ask Forfree Delivery (Arindel)

Won the Locust Grove two back. Her last start was a strong third in the Bedlam. In fact, this year she has only finished off the board once in seven starts, five of which are graded stakes. She should be near or on the lead early and could get a piece of the purse.

7 Present Tense (Mb Stables)

Won the DEL Handicap in July and has dead heated for second twice since then, once in the Hirsch with Pink Attack and again in the Personal Ensign with Drink Me Pretty. Last out was not a strong performance for this four-year-old mare, but if you throw that one out, she’s had a pretty successful year. All that said, she is another one that is going to have to step it up to win against these.

8 Snake Island (Night Mare Racing)

Has finished no worse than third in her last five starts, but she can’t quite get to the wire first. Second in a dead heat with Scarlett Dream last out in the Cotillion. It’s just a matter of time before she gets back to the winner’s circle, but this is a tough spot.

9 Jinxed Artist (Smokey Stover)

Very strong competitor. Has not finished worse than second in six starts this year, including wins in the Shawnee and the Spinster (Grade 1). Seems to be hitting her best stride at just the right time. A win wouldn’t be a surprise for this one.

10 Retrospect (Mb Stables)

Winner of the Shuvee back in July. Wasn’t able to hit the board in her last two starts, one of which was in the mud. Seems a little inconsistent though.

11 Matamata (Smokey Stover)

Another one that could have a say in the outcome here. Won the Grade 1 Phipps in June. Followed that up with a second in the Pitcher Stakes and the Grade 1 Ballerina. Couldn’t hit the board in the Spinster last out, but she has the class and the ability to run with these.

12 Yow (Royalty Stables)

KY Oaks winner followed that up with a win in the Grade 1 Acorn, but she hasn’t performed up to that form since. Big question mark for this one. If she can get back to her KY Oaks form, she’ll be a contender. But she seems to be going the wrong way.

13 Pink Attack (The Sidley Stud)

No worse than second since May. Won the Grade 3 ONT Matron last out just three weeks ago. Very consistent mare. Look for her up front early, and she just might be there at the wire.

14 Starting Over (TwinTowersRacing)

Back-to-back Grade 1 winner of the Diana and the Personal Ensign. Didn’t hit the board in the Spinster, but she is still one to watch. Needs a good trip, and if she gets it, she could be in the mix at the wire.

Categories: BC 2021-2023