BC Distaff (Grade 1)- $2,000.000 Purse
SA- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
November 4, 2016

The first day of racing at the BC here at SA provided a lot of great moments, and we’ll expect more of the same on Saturday.  Our feature race Friday was the BC Distaff, the biggest race of the year for females.   With a fantastic late bid, Wicked Heat became just the second horse to win both the KYO and the BC Distaff/Ladies Classic in the same year.  You have to go all the way back to 2005 and Java Jive to find the first one to do that.  On the male side, there is only one horse that has won the KYD and the BC Classic.  Why do we mention that?  Because that horse was the great Commanding, who is the sire to Wicked Heat.   This filly has always been one of the best, and ran well in the BC Juvenile Fillies last year (running 3rd), and also picked up an impressive score out at SAR in the Alabama.   It was surprising to see her go off as a 20/1 longshot in this race, as she was made one of our picks, behind Shake It Off and Dirty Deeds, each of whom ended up being major disappointments.  More people likely put stock in her disappointing run in the Cotillion, but today she wins the race that counts.  Wicked Heat is now a BC Champion.  Aboard the winner was G L Stevens, who swept BC Distaffs on Friday.  This is his first win in the Distaff here.  As for our winning trainer, the proud owner of Wicked Heat is EasyMoney Stables.   The long time trainer first opened his barn doors back in 2004, and was running in the BC Distaff for the first time in his career.   His career highlight to this point was probably the 2009 KYD win of Ghost Walker, and he has saddled many good horses throughout.  However, the money in the BC has never been easy for him, as prior BC entries had fallen short. Wicked Heat is the first BC Champion that he has had!  Congratulations on that achievement.   The race winning time of 1:48.26 was the quickest time recorded in the Distaff when the race was held at SA.  Let’s look more at this result.

1st- 9- Wicked Heat (21/1)– Going off at these surprising odds, Wicked Heat made a lot of people happy today, not just trainer EasyMoney Stables.   She would break well out of the gate, but it looked as though jockey G L Stevens may have restrained her a little around the opening turn, and as they moved into the backstretch, Wicked Heat was in the seventh position, and five lengths from the leaders.  Steadily cruised along on the backstretch, with her eyes set on moving to the outside of Lullaby Maker Tf, a move in which she would make as the field moved into the turn.  At this stage, she was advancing, but still had four lengths to make up.  In the turn, she was fantastic, and she would be able to cut the deficit in half by the time they reached the top of the backstretch, and there was no one in her way at this point other then Way Up.  In the stretch, she made an all out drive, but Way Up was not going to make it easy.  She would make the pass late, but still Way Up tried to hang on and G L Stevens had no room for error in this Distaff, either.  Everything that she needed to do, she did, and in the end, she becomes a BC Champion! The time of the win is 1:48.26.  Wicked Heat is a three year old filly by Commanding and out of Soul Gem (Ghost Walker).  She was bred in Ontario by EasyMoney Stables as a first quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout!  Congratulations to the connections!   With the win, her 7th in fifteen starts, Wicked Heat has eclipsed $3,000.000 in career earnings!

2nd- 11- Way Up (7/1)- Team 7 Illusions came painfully close to winning his second consecutive BC Distaff with the fantastic run put in by Way Up.  She wasted no time getting out to the front and jumped out to a length advantage as they hit the top of the backstretch.   The opening half mile would be run rather quick, in :46.24, as she began to pull away from the field.   No one would challenge her over the backstretch run, and her lead increased to two lengths as Brawl Dead End started to back up into the field.  Six furlongs would be run in 1:09.89 as they made their way into the turn with Way Up still looking very good.   Her lead would only increase during the turn, but as they reached the top of the stretch, there was one who was looking like she might challenge her, that being Wicked Heat.   With a furlong to go, and with her rival needing to make an outside run, it seemed as though Way Up might be able to hold on, and she put forth a strong effort to try.  In the final strides, she was just not as good as Wicked Heat but was never in jeopardy of finishing less then second.

3rd- 2- Notarized Kate (10/1)- She had some nice battles with Wicked Heat over the course of her career, and in the Distaff once again, this Pristine Stables filly found herself running well and cashing a big check for her trainer, but doing so behind her rival.    She would opt to come from behind in this race, running with the likes of Shake It Off and Distant Cousin.  As the field moved into the final turn, Shake It Off moved off the rail, and Notarized Kate quickly pounced on this opportunity in a decision that prove vital.  Dirty Deeds could not take this lane, and Notarized Kate flew right through at as we reached the top of the stretch.  A strong stretch run was enough to get her through the field, and get the third spot.

4th- 6- The Hanging Tree (9/1)- Starting well out of the gate, this filly would be the best of Mb Stables’ runners on the day.  While she ran around the opening turn, she benefitted from the plans of others and was able to get along the rail and situate herself about three lengths off the lead as they moved into the backstretch.  Maintained this position at this point, all the way until the top of the stretch with no real push to the front or concern that she was about to drop, either. Maintaining the position was the story of her race.  It was an uneventful run for her, but that can be a good thing sometimes, and it earns her the fourth spot.

5th- 4- Track Queen (20/1)- The longshot from Mb Stables began the race in the middle of the field, but backed up as they hit the start of the backstretch run to be with those running towards the rear.  Stayed there for the backstretch, but as the field moved into the turn, Track Queen was one of the first to make her intentions known and pounced on an opening to the inside of Distant Cousin before that one could make the most of the running lane.  Ran well in the stretch and seemed like she may threaten for third, but a couple others proved a little quicker in the dying moments.

6th- 12- Google Maps (10/1)- The Aml Racing entry started in a midpack position to begin, but dropped back to run closer to those at the rear of the field in the beginning moments.  Ran four wide down the backstretch, and as they moved into the turn, the path chosen was the outside, causing her to be about seven or even eight wide as they moved into the stretch.  She was full of run here, but taking the long way would not do her any good.  It was a nice bid, and she may have defeated the two Mb Stables entries with a better trip.

7th- 5- Heart Nebulae (12/1)- The filly from SamIam had no interest in the early pace, and went right to the rear of the field, ahead of only Chili King around the opening turn.  Remained back there for the duration of the backstretch and still had seven lengths to make up into the turn.  Made an emphatic power move on exit of the turn to immediately put herself in thick of things in the middle of the field.   This improved her track position and final finishing spot, but was too late to be near the frontrunners.

8th- 3- Distant Cousin (16/1)- Did not start well out of the gate for D J C Racing Stables, and seemed as though she was going to be at the back early, but around the opening turn she advanced her track position up to being in the middle of the field.  Did not continue this push in the backstretch, and only when Track Queen started to move did Distant Cousin seem to react with interest herself.  Once moving along, she was in good shape, but being beaten by Track Queen put her in tighter quarters for the stretch and she did respond well to it.

9th- 14- Brawl Dead End (24/1)- From the far outside, the Mb Stables filly was pushed hard out of the gate to get out front.  Since Way Up also was looking to do the same thing, Brawl Dead End ended up being significantly outside on entry to the first turn, though would eventually be able to move over.  Stalked the leader into the backstretch but backed up into Dirty Deeds within the final turn.  Tried to hang in there, but the last furlong did her in.

10th- 10- Lullaby Maker Tf (10/1)- Our defending BC Distaff champion, from Team 7 Illusions started well and was among the lead group as they moved into the opening turn.  In the backstretch, she would run in the third lane as part of a battle for third, about three lengths off the lead.  Although Wicked Heat was passing her, Lullaby Maker Tf still seemed poised for a good finish as they reached the exit of the turn.  Had no stretch response.

11th- 13- Chili King (11/1)- The Sanny Village filly went promptly to the rear of the field, having no interest in being with the rest of the field, and conceding nine lengths to the lead after just two furlongs.  Stayed at the back of the field throughout the backstretch, and into the turn.  At this point, she began to look for a possible move along the rail to run.  When it was time to make that charge, however, it was not coming, and Chili King would only get by a few.

12th- 1- Shake It Off (4/1)- The pre-race favorite from Australia Wide left many wondering if she was even in the race.  She did not start all that well, and ran towards the back of the field around the opening turn.  Ran along the rail heading into the backstretch, but moved off of it to run behind Dirty Deeds instead.   Not going back to the rail cost her any hope, as soon Notarized Kate seized that opportunity, and Shake It Off was stuck in a lane that had a (Brawl) Dead End in front of it.  Last at the top of the stretch, she would only pass a couple other backmarkers late.

13th- 8- Wu Wei (15/1)- Looked like the Keikowin Racing may have missed the break out of the gate somewhat but settled into a midpack position by the time the field moved into the opening turn.  She would do that while running four wide.  Stayed here around the turn, and looked to be one of several that might have a run coming on exit of turn.  Was not able to bring it the way the others were able, and would only beat one.

14th- 7- Dirty Deeds (13/1)- A very disappointing run and one of those head scratchers here for the Aer Stables filly.  She seemed to start fine, and looked to hold a position just off the lead around the opening turn about three lengths out.  Stayed there during the backstretch, but her trip right behind Brawl Dead End left her no where to go as others started to make moved from behind her.  She could not get away from this roadblock during the turn, and it didn’t help when Notarized Kate pounced on a possible lane.  No where to run all race long.

Track: Fast
Time: :46¹  1:09⁴  1:35   1:48¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 9 – 11 Paid 149.30
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 11 – 2 Paid 800.60

Scratched: Neonatalist, Minda

— NS

Categories: BC 2015-17, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP