BC Distaff

BREEDERS'

CUP PREVIEWS

With the defection of 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri (Jade

Hunter), the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) has become a

wide-open affair. The 1 1/8-mile dirt event, the first of eight

Breeders' Cup races to be held Saturday at Lone Star Park in

Grand Prairie, Texas, has a remarkable field containing a champion

and multiple Grade 1 winners alike. We will take a lass

contending for a top spot in the three-year-old filly division,

STELLAR JAYNE (Wild Rush).

Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, this gray turned a corner since a

seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), reeling off two

straight victories including the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose (G1), a

race at this level and distance. After finishing second in the

Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama S. (G1), both at

10 furlongs, Stellar Jayne returned to her optimum distance in

the nine-furlong Gazelle S. (G1), showing her affinity for this

distance. After losing the lead in the stretch, the sophomore

fought back to be a length winner at the wire. Her versatile

running style provides her the ability to run on the lead or rate

just off a fast pace, and she can close with a rush. Stellar

Jayne looks to be extremely capable in this spot with regular

rider Robby Albarado in the irons.

ASHADO (Saint Ballado) owns eight wins from 13 lifetime

starts, 12 of which were graded. Her record this season, a

remarkable 7-4-2-1, includes earnings of $1,219,640 and two Grade

1 wins. The dark bay filly will more than likely go off as the

post-time favorite and deservedly so. The Todd Pletcher-trained

miss has consistently earned century-topping BRIS Speed figures

and will have John Velazquez aboard.

Distance does not appear to be a factor for SOCIETY SELECTION

(Coronado's Quest) as the bay owns wins from seven furlongs to 1

1/4 miles, three of which were Grade 1s. The only question for

the Allen Jerkens trainee is whether or not she will run in the

Distaff as she did in the Alabama, first over both Stellar Jayne

and Ashado, or copy her performance in the nine-furlong Mother

Goose, in which she finished sixth. Regardless, it is tough to

look past the three-year-old.

The Shug McGaughey-conditioned STORM FLAG FLYING (Storm Cat)

has experienced serious competition as of late, including

recently-retired Sightseek in three of her last four outings and

the great Azeri on two occasions as well. With the absence of

those two, this filly has a strong chance in the Distaff. The

four-year-old can rate or run on the lead, making her a dangerous

entrant. The Ogden Phipps homebred could be there for part.

ISLAND FASHION (Petionville) shocked the racing world when

finishing second four starts back against the boys in the Santa

Anita H. (G1). Trainer Marcelo Polanco then shipped the filly to

Japan where she ran a disappointing 16th, more than likely due to

the surface of the grassy race. The gray then traveled back to

the United States in good form, taking the Lady's Secret

Breeders' Cup H. (G2) in her last out. Don't forget her at the

windows.

TAMWEEL (Gulch) pressed 2002 Distaff winner Azeri through 8 1/2

furlongs in the Spinster S. (G1) last time before the champion

kicked away in the final sixteenth. Trained by Wayne Catalano,

the chestnut was still impressive finishing second. In fact,

since switching to the Chicago-based trainer, this four-year-old

owns a record of 4-2-2-0. Watch for her to possibly surprise on

Saturday. Four-year-old ELLOLUV (Gilded Time) ran a valiant

second to Adoration (Honor Grades) in last year's Distaff but no

longer appears in that top form. The bay captured the 2003 Ashland S. (G1), as

well as the Piedra Foundation H. two back, but has not run at this level since

last year. Her nice recent works suggest possible use on the bottom of the

exotics.

French Oaks (Fr-G1) winner NEBRASKA TORNADO (Storm Cat) will

make her U. S. bow in the Distaff for trainer Andre Fabre, for

whom Gary Stevens rode this summer. She will have hot jockey

Edgar Prado in the irons but will try the dirt for the first time.

While she is by a good dirt sire, the four-year-old miss is

winless from four starts this year and we can't recommend her

chances here. The Frank Kirby-trained BARE NECESSITIES (Silver

Deputy) has consistently run at the graded level this year but to

no avail. The mare has finished second or third in six of those

seven contests, but she hasn't made it to the winner's circle

this season. We don't see her making it there against tougher

company on Saturday.

HOLLYWOOD STORY (Wild Rush) has four Grade 1 starts this year

for conditioner John Shirreffs but, much like Bare Necessities,

has not crossed the wire first. The three-year-old owns a Grade 1

win in the Hollywood Starlet S. (G1), but we feel she needs to

improve significantly to factor. INDY GROOVE (A. P. Indy) steps

up here after a nice win in the Autumn Leaves S. at Mountaineer

Park last out, recording a competitive Speed figure of 105.

Still, we'll have to watch on Cup Day.