Ashado takes Distaff

BREEDERS' CUP RECAPS

Ashado takes Distaff

Starlight Stables LLC, Paul Saylor and Johns Martin's ASHADO (Saint Ballado) sat just off a

wicked pace set by Tamweel (Gulch) before moving three wide

turning for home to kick away for the victory in Saturday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff

(G1), which started the World Thoroughbred Championships at Lone Star Park.

Tamweel and Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) battled through

opening fractions of :22 4/5 and :46 3/5, with the former getting the call.

Nebraska Tornado began to slip back as the Todd

Pletcher-trained Ashado moved up under John Velazquez to challenge Tamweel, who

set three-quarters in 1:10

2/5. At the top of the stretch, after a mile in a swift

1:35 2/5, Ashado started pulling away as Stellar Jayne (Wild Rush) and a

stubborn Tamweel battled for

third. In the end, the dark bay miss posted a 1 1/4-length victory while Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat) came out of nowhere to

nip Stellar Jayne for the place.

"I had a perfect trip," Velazquez said. "I tucked into position on the first

turn and I just

had to bide my time following the leaders."

Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Ashado returned $6, $3.60, and $2.80 while keying a $34.80

exacta for stopping the clock in 1:48 1/5 for the 1 1/8-mile test on the fast

track. The hard-closing 9-2 shot Storm

Flag Flying paid $7 and $4 while Stellar Jayne was a neck back in

third at 10-1. She was worth $4.80 on the bottom of the $178

trifecta. Tamweel completed the

$1,191.80 superfecta (1-7-11-3). Rounding out the order of finish were

Island Fashion (Petionville), Indy Groove (A. P. Indy), Elloluv

(Gilded Time), Nebraska Tornado, Society Selection (Coronado's Quest), Hollywood

Story (Wild Rush), and Bare Necessities (Silver Deputy).

Queen of this year's Kentucky Oaks (G1), Ashado gave Pletcher his first Breeders' Cup

win and earned her fourth Grade 1 victory here, having already scored in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1)

and Spinaway S. (G1). She finished second in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Fillies (G1) and owns an overall record of 14-9-3-2, that includes placings in

the Ashland S. (G1), Mother Goose S. (G1) and Alabama S. (G1).

Bred in Kentucky by Aaron U. Jones & Marie D. Jones, Ashado is out of the

stakes-winning Mari's Book mare Goulash, who also has an unnamed yearling full

brother the Distaff winner and an unnamed weanling colt by Storm Creek. Ashado

increasing her career earnings to $2,870,440, more than earning back her

$170,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase price.