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No Maybe About It: Malathaat Wins as Distaff Delivers Again

LEXINGTON, KY – The Breeders' Cup Distaff, which has produced so many memorable moments over the years, delivered yet another race for the ages as Shadwell Stable's Malathaat (Curlin) got the bob over Blue Stripe (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}) and Clairiere (Curlin) in a blanket three-horse finish. The 5-2 second choice behind her favored stablemate Nest (Curlin), Malathaat was unhurried from her inside post and settled well back as Society (Gun Runner) set the pace and Blue Stripe stalked the early leader down the backstretch. Nest began moving forward while some five wide as the field began to bunch up approaching the far turn and Malathaat shadowed her stablemate, while Clairiere continued to trail. It was Secret Oath (Arrogate) who took the lead out of the turn as Nest's rally began to fizzle, but the Oaks' winner began to tire with a furlong to run, leaving Blue Stripe with the lead in deep stretch. Malathaat was charging down the center of the track to her outside and Clairiere was sneaking up the rail as the wire loomed. All three hit the wire in near unison as track announcer Kurt Becker yelled, “Malathaat…Maybe! What a finish!”

“When we first watched the race, we thought we won, but they kept showing the replay and it got closer each time,” winning trainer Todd Pletcher said with a laugh. “She had a lot of momentum and I was hoping she had enough time to get there. She got her head down at the right moment.”

John Velazquez, who had the best seat in the house, also thought his filly had gotten to the wire first.

“I thought I got the bob and then I wasn't sure,” Velazquez said. “When you have that much trust from a guy like Todd Pletcher who gives me the opportunity to ride these good horses, it makes it easy when you have to make adjustments during the race.”

Of Malathaat, who has now won 10 of 13 starts, Velazquez said, “Every race she runs, she shows up. She is a tough mare and I will miss her if they retire her.”

Connections of the second and third-place finishers were justifiably proud of the efforts of their charges.

“She ran absolutely great,” said Blue Stripe's trainer Marcelo Polanco, while trainer Steve Asmussen said of Clairiere, “She ran a fabulous race. It was just inches… inches…”

The 2022 renewal will join the 2016 battle royale between Beholder and Songbird and the epic 1988 showdown between Personal Ensign and Winning Colors in the annals of Distaff history.

Malathaat won last year's GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Alabama S. before ending her sophomore season with a third-place effort in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff en route to earning year-end championship honors. Second behind Clairiere in the GI Ogden Phipps S. and GII Shuvee S. this past summer, the regally bred filly came into this year's championship weekend off wins in the Aug. 27 GI Personal Ensign S. and over the Distaff's track and trip in the Oct. 9 GI Spinster S.

Asked if Malathaat had run her last race, Shadwell manager Gregory Clarke said, “Wouldn't it be lovely if she stayed in training? But what she's accomplished is just incredible. We're just so blessed. We've gotten this far with her. She's at the top of her game. We'll see what Sheikha Hissa and the family want to do. But she's a machine. She really is. We're over the moon.”

Pedigree Notes:

Malathaat's victory gave Curlin his third winner on the Breeders' Cup card Saturday, following Elite Power's win in the Sprint and Cody's Wish's win in the Dirt Mile.

Dreaming of Julia, winner of the 2012 GI Frizette S., produced a filly by Medaglia d'Oro last year and a filly by Curlin this year. A daughter of 2007 GI Test S. winner Dream Rush and a half-sister to graded winner Dream Pauline (Tapit), she was bred back to Into Mischief.

Saturday, Keeneland
LONGINES BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF-GI, $1,800,000, Keeneland, 11-5, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:49.07, ft.
1–MALATHAAT, 124, f, 4, by Curlin
1st Dam: Dreaming of Julia (GISW, $874,500), by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Dream Rush, by Wild Rush
3rd Dam: Turbo Dream, by Unbridled
($1,050,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Shadwell Stable; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Todd Pletcher; J-John R. Velazquez. $1,040,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 3yo Filly, 14-10-3-1, $3,790,825. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Blue Stripe (Arg), 124, m, 5, by Equal Stripes (Arg)
1st Dam: Blues for Sale (Arg) (MGSW-Arg), by Not For Sale (Arg)
2nd Dam: Key Cure, by Cure the Blues
3rd Dam: Dancer's Key, by Key to the Mint
O-Pozo de Luna, Inc.; B-La Manija (ARG); T-Marcelo Polanco. $340,000.
3–Clairiere, 124, f, 4, by Curlin
1st Dam: Cavorting (MGISW, $2,063,000), by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Promenade Girl, by Carson City
3rd Dam: Promenade Colony, by Pleasant Colony
O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $180,000.
Margins: NO, NO, 3 1/4. Odds: 2.88, 24.02, 6.13.
Also Ran: Nest, Secret Oath, Search Results, Society, Awake At Midnyte.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs.

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Flightline Tops Saturday BC Workers

Unbeaten sensation and guaranteed GI Breeders' Cup Classic favorite Flightline (Tapit) put in his final prep for the World Championships at Keeneland Saturday. The 'TDN Rising Star' covered five furlongs solo in 1:00.60 (4/62) shortly after 7:30 a.m. under assistant trainer Juan Leyva.

“I told Juan to go in a minute and change and out [seven-eighths] in 1:26, and that's what he did,” trainer John Sadler said. “Juan's a great work rider. It was not about going fast today, just getting around there happy today.”

Flightline arrived at Keeneland Sunday from his Santa Anita home base.

“He's had a good week and gotten settled in, and the track is a little similar to Del Mar,” Sadler said, noting that Flightline's schedule for next week will include returning to the track to jog Monday, gallop Tuesday through Friday and not go to the track the morning of the Classic.

Life Is Good Tops Pletcher Workers

Classic contender and 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 on his own at Keeneland Saturday with fractions of :12, :24.60, :49, 1:00.60 then out six furlongs in 1:13.20, seven-eighths in 1:25.80 and the mile in 1:39.80.

“He is a superior work horse,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Today was typical of what we have seen his whole career.”

Pletcher is confident his charge will get the 10-furlong distance this time after a failed effort in the G1 Dubai World Cup.

“He is hard to pull up at the end [of his workouts],” the conditioner said. “We are eager to run on a real track not like in Dubai, which was really deep that night. I think that played against him.”

Pletcher's other Classic pre-entrant Happy Saver (Super Saver) had what the trainer called a “spirited gallop” in lieu of a timed breeze.

“We let him two-minute clip the whole way around,” Pletcher said. “We are going to do similar to what we did before the [GI Met Mile]: just one breeze two weeks out. He tends to run better when he is fresh. He'll have a few more strong gallops. He won't breeze again.”

Also working this morning on the main track for Pletcher were GI Breeders' Cup Distaff runners Nest (Curlin) and Malathaat (Curlin). In company with recent maiden winner Inventing (Union Rags), Nest worked a half-mile in :50.40. Malathaat worked a half-mile in :49.60 with the 3-year-old maiden Old Point (Curlin).

Working on the grass together were GI Shadwell Mile winner Annapolis GI (Mile) and GII Pilgrim S. victor Major Dude (GI Juvenile Turf), who were timed in :50.40 for a half-mile.

Charlie Puts in Final Classic Prep

Gutsy GII Lukas Classic winner Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) also had his final breeze ahead of the BC Classic Saturday in Lexington, going six panels in company in 1:12.80.

“He looked good and I got him in 1:12 4/5,” trainer Doug O'Neill said.

Other O'Neill BC workers included Awake At Midnyte (Nyquist) (5f, 1:01.20, Distaff), Slow Down Andy (Nyquist) (5f, 1:00.40, GI Dirt Mile), Vegas Magic (Good Magic) (5f, 1:02.20, GI Juvenile Fillies) and Sharp Aza Tack (Sharp Azteca) (5f, 1:01 on the training track, GI Juvenile Turf Sprint).

Brown Breezes BC Contingent

Jack Christopher | Coady

Trainer Chad Brown sent out a dozen of his Breeders' Cup pre-entrants, with seven working on the dirt and five on the turf at Keeneland Saturday.

Working a half-mile on the dirt were MGISW Jack Christopher (Munnings) (:48.60, GI Sprint or Dirt Mile), Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) (:47.80, GI Filly and Mare Sprint), Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) (:47.20, GI Juvenile) and working in company I'm Very Busy (Cloud Computing) and Oxymore (Astern {Aus}) (:49.60 Juvenile Turf).

Working five furlongs on the dirt were Search Results (Flatter) (1:01.20, Distaff) and Pipeline (Speightstown) (1:01, Dirt Mile).

On the turf, which was rated as good, were Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) (4f, :49.80, Mile) in company with Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) (4f, :49.80, GI Filly and Mare Turf), In Italian (GB) (4f, :50.80, Filly and Mare Turf) and Virginia Joy (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) (5f, 1:02.60, Filly and Mare Turf) in company with Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) (5f, 1:02.60, Mile).

“We did great,” a beaming Brown said following the works.

Other Keeneland BC Workers Saturday

On the main track were Kimari (Munnings) (5f, 1:01.40, Sprint or Filly and Mare Sprint) and Chi Town Lady (Verrazano) (5f, 1:01.80, Filly and Mare Sprint) in company for Wesley Ward; Willy Boi (Uncaptured) (4f, :49.20, Sprint) for trainer Jorge Delgado and Simplification (Not This Time) (5f, 1:00.40, Dirt Mile) for Antonio Sano.

Working on the turf course were Reckoning Force (Air Force Blue) (4f, :50.40, Juvenile Turf) and Cazadero (Street Sense) (4f, :50.40, Turf Sprint) for Brendan Walsh; Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile) (5f, 1:03.60, Turf Sprint) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (5f, 1:03.80, Turf Sprint) for Wesley Ward; Private Creed (Jimmy Creed) (3f, :39, Juvenile Turf Sprint) for Steve Asmussen; Tyler's Tribe (Sharp Azteca) (3f, :38.20, Juvenile Turf Sprint) for Tim Martin and Caravel (Mizzen Mast) (4f, :51, Turf Sprint) for Brad Cox.

BC Workers at Churchill Downs

MGISW Cyberknife (Gun Runner) put in his final work for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs Saturday, covering five furlongs in :59 flat. With regular rider Florent Geroux in the saddle, Cyberknife started his work about two lengths behind stablemate Forza Di Oro (Speightstown) and finished even at the completion of his work.

“With a week out from the Breeders' Cup it was the right move we wanted to see,” trainer Brad Cox said. “Both of these horses are really good work horses and I think matching up Cyberknife with him he'd get a lot out of his work. We ended up choosing to run in the Dirt Mile instead of the [GI Breeders' Cup] Classic because we thought it would be the most likely race he could win. The Classic came up a very deep field and even though Cyberknife is going to cut back in distance we feel he can handle the two-turn mile at Keeneland.”

Cox also worked GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint contender Lady Rocket (Tale of the Cat). She went five furlongs in 1:00.60 outside 3-year-old filly Girl With a Dream (Practial Joke). Cyberknife and Lady Rocket, along with Cox juveniles Chop Chop (City of Light) and Verifying (Justify), are scheduled to ship to Keeneland Monday.

Also on the Churchill worktab Saturday was GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint runner Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed), who went a half-mile in :47.80 outside of a stablemate.

Taiba Has Final Classic Work at Santa Anita

GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba (Gun Runner) had his final major workout for the Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday, going six furlongs at Santa Anita this morning in 1:13 flat under Juan Ochoa in company with Messier (Empire Maker), who was also clocked in 1:13.

“He went well,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He's not a great work horse, so he went with Messier. I was happy with it. He'll ship tonight for Kentucky].”

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Search Results Back in Action in Distaff

Last term's GI Acorn S. heroine and narrow GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Search Results (Flatter) returns to action in Saturday's GIII Distaff H. at Aqueduct. The even-money morning-line favorite concluded her sophomore campaign with a third-place finish as the favorite in the GI Longines Test S. at Saratoga Aug. 7. Search Results is two-for-two at the Big A, including a win in last April's GIII Gazelle S.

“She's doing well. She's freshened up well down at Payson,” trainer Chad Brown said. “This is a good spot and we know that she likes Aqueduct.”

The in-form Glass Ceiling (Constitution), claimed by trainer Charlton Baker for $40,000 last May, enters riding a three-race winning streak, led by Laurel's GIII Barbara Fritchie S. Feb. 19.

Last year's GII Mother Goose S. and GIII Forward Gal S. winner Zaajel (Street Sense) makes her first start since finishing fifth in the GII Beldame S. Oct. 10.

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Essential Quality, Medina Spirit, Letruska & Malathaat Top Breeders’ Cup Pre-Entries

Champion Essential Quality (Tapit), GI Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit (Protonico), MGISW turf star Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}), defending GI Breeders' Cup Turf heroine Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal), top distaffer Letruska (Super Saver) and GI Kentucky Oaks victress Malathaat (Curlin) are among the 196 horses entered in the Nov. 5-6 Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held at Del Mar. This will be the second time the SoCal venue plays hosts to the Breeders' Cup, with the first being in 2017. The 56 international horses are a record number of international pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup and span seven countries: Great Britain (26), Ireland (17), Japan (8), France (2), Argentina (1), Peru (1) and South Africa (1).

Medina Spirit has already proved he could defeat his elders when dominating the GI Awesome Again S. Oct. 2, while last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Essential Quality faces them for the first time as the likely top two betting choices in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. They take on the likes of MGISW Knicks Go (Paynter), who dominated the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last year; GI Jockey Club Gold Cup victor Max Player (Honor Code); and GI TVG Pacific Classic winner Tripoli (Kitten's Joy).

Letruska will be the bettors' top choice in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff off five straight victories, most recently taking the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. Oct. 10. Malathaat leads the sophomore filly division with three wins from four starts this season, including Saratoga's GI Alabama S. last out Aug. 21. They are joined by 2020 Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), who enters off back-to-back wins in the Aug. 1 GI Clement L. Hirsch S. and Sept. 18 GIII Locust Grove S.; GII Zenyatta S. one-two Private Mission (Into Mischief) and As Time Goes By (American Pharoah); and six others.

A total of 22 horses were entered in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf with 14 making the body of the field, topped by last year's winner Tarnawa. Domestic Spending tops the U.S. contingent with a pair of Grade Is this year and a last-out second in the GI Mr. D. S. Aug, 14. Other top American contenders include MGISW Gufo (Declaration of War) and MGSW United (Giant's Causeway). Exactly half of the field hails from overseas, six from Europe and one from Japan, including the Aidan O'Brien-trained Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the Charlie Appleby/Godolphin duo of Walton Street (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Also overdrawn by two is the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup F/M Turf with 14 in the field and two on the outside. Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is back to defend her title and is joined by six other Europeans. The Japanese have one representative and the rest of the field represents the home team, including GI Flower Bowl S. heroine War Like Goddess (English Channel) and GI Rodeo Drive S. victress Going to Vegas (Goldencents). Tarnawa is entered both here and against the boys with first preference being a title defense in the Turf.

Twenty-four horses were entered for the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile with 14 in the body and 10 outside. Eight of those are domestic runners and six foreign, including MG1SW Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Defending winner Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) was entered, but his retirement was announced later in the day. The Chad Brown-trained pair of Blowout (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) lead the American runners.

With Knicks Go headed to the Classic, the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile will be headlined by GII Kelso H. hero Life is Good (Into Mischief) and GI Met Mile winner Silver State (Hard Spun).

Grade I-winning “savage” Firenze Fire (Poseidon's Warrior) looks to close out his career on a high note before moving to Japan for his stallion career in the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint S. He will have his work cut out for him with the likes of MGISWs Dr. Schivel (Violence) and Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music); and GII Vosburgh S. hero Following Sea (Runhappy) signed on.

Gamine (Into Mischief) looks to defend her title in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint S. and will be heavily favored to do so facing just six rivals. Her top competition will likely come from fellow GI Longines Test S. winner Bella Sofia (Awesome Patiot) and MGISW Ce Ce (Elusive Quality), who was fifth in the Distaff last year.

Completing the nine Breeders' Cup races on Saturday's card is the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which drew 19 entries. Wesley Ward saddles three of the 12 horses in the body of the field last year's GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint S. winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), whose dam Lady Shipman (Midshipman) came up a neck short in this event back in 2015. He is joined by stablemates Kimari (Munnings), who has not been seen since winning the GI Madison S. back in April, and Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile), winner of the GIII Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational S. Oct. 2.

The GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile highlights the “Future Stars Friday” card at Del Mar. Fourteen 2-year-olds are entered in this stallion-making event, topped by undefeated Grade-I winning 'TDN Rising Stars' Jack Christopher (Munnings) and Corniche (Quality Road).

Undefeated MGISW Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) looks to complete a banner year for her freshman sire as the favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. She faces eight challengers, including Grade I winners Juju's Map (Liam's Map) and Ain't Easy (Into Mischief).

Fourteen horses will line up for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with six more on the outside looking in. Eleven juveniles represent America, including unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Annapolis (War Front) and GIII Futurity S. winner Slipstream (More Than Ready). Charlie Appleby saddles two of the five European runners in Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf drew a full field of 14 with four on the sidelines. Americans dominate yet again with eight of the entries, including GII Miss Grillo S. winner Sail By (Astern {Aus}) and GIII Matron S. heroine Bubble Rock (More Than Ready).

Rounding out the quintet of juvenile races is the only Breeders' Cup races that is not yet a Grade I, the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Wesley Ward has won two of the previous three renewals and has two chances to repeat in Averly Jane (Midshipman) and Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}). This race was also oversubscribed with 19 entries. Of the 12 that will make up the body of the race, it is an even split between America and Europe.

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