Humana Distaff (G1)- $300.000 Purse
CD- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
May 2, 2015

The Humana Distaff has historically drawn some of the best horses in our racing world.  Most notably, it was the great Blonde Dynamite, who won the race three years in a row, from 2007 through 2009.  She was one of the best we have ever seen, at one time winning eleven in a row including the BC Fillies and Mares Sprint.   Go back a little further, and you’ll see Darling Harbour, who won 24 of her 47 career races, en route to earnings that eclipsed $6,000.000.   Those more recent to the game will certainly recall the great Avery Island, the 2012 winner and won over $4,000.000 in her career.  There have been no fluke winners of this race.   Time Box is the only past winner who has not won over $1,000.00 in her career, and she just missed at “only” $928.800.  The winningest trainer of the race is 30west, thanks to Blonde Dynamite.  G Gomez and S Bridgmohan are the most successful jockeys, each winning twice, but neither will have a mount.  The field is small, but talented.  Let us meet them!

#1- Millyon Mama (Pumpkin Racing, ridden by R J Albarado)- Has won seven of her eighteen career races, and is most recently coming off a victory in the $35.000 Mesa Handicap at TUP where she was truly the class of the field.  More then likely, that race was just a tune up for this one.  While she is still running well, Millyon Mama has struggled a little when moved up to graded events, including being eighth of nine in the G3 Hurricane Bertie back on Valentine’s Day.  The competition is stronger here, and she may have a tough time with it.

#2- Donegal Maid (Barcelona Farms, ridden by R A Baze)- Certainly, this eight year old autogen mare is one who would deserve to have her name on the same past winners board as the horses mentioned in the introduction.  She has made 51 career starts, and has won 24 of them.  Only seven times, has she finished outside the top three and that has never happened since October of 2012.  She hasn’t fiddled around in lesser races either as her two most recent wins have been the Grade 1 Vinery Madison (7F at KEE)  last month, and the Grade 3 Go For Wand at AQU around Thanksgiving.  She is an amazing model of consistency and certainly has it in her to win this race.  However, a couple in here certainly will make it a true battle.

#3- Mondo Grosso (Maverick Racing, ridden by E Prado)- Not to be outdone by Donegal Maid, this eight year old mare by the late Joba C has won thirteen of her 45 career starts, and has been on the board for 33 of them.   You would probably assume that these two have a history of racing against one another, but amazingly they never have.   Although they have both won the Grade 1 Vinery Madison at KEE, Mondo Grosso won the 2014 event.  She’s coming in off of three straight second place finishes overall, mostly recently being in the G2 Inside Information at GP, where she was beaten by Ambient, who is here as well.   At last, we get to have her and Donegal Maid in the field at the same time for the old timers in the grandstands!  Both can win, though so too, can the others.

#4- Mover N Shaker (Sanny Village, ridden by J R Leparoux)- In her last race, Mover N Shaker put together a race that was better then her race line will indicate.   That was the Vinery Madison, the race won by Donegal Maid.  With nobody betting on her, she brought up the rear, but was only three lengths back.  On Sunday, however, she put together a work that suggests she could pick up those three lengths.   Despite that, she is in real tough here but would make a big name for herself with an upset.

#5- Ambient (Mb Stables, ridden by R Bejarano)- This four year old filly by Pure Steel doesn’t have the earnings that Donegal Maid and Mondo Grosso do, but she is well on her way.  She has won four in a row, including the G2 Inside Information and $250.000 SSM Distaff in January.  She has not backed down from those who are older then her, and has been able to come out on top before.  This Saturday in front of a huge crowd at CD on KYD Day, Ambient has a great opportunity to take down two of the best in her division.   She’s ready to roll, and she loves this distance.  Expect her to have a great shot to win, but even if she doesn’t, she could very well have a chance to be here again next year to get her name on that great list of past winners.  Time is on her side!

Prediction: 2-5-3-4

— NS

Categories: Grade I