Distaff Diary

DISTAFF DIARY

MAY 25, 2005

by Hunter T. Houlihan

Once again the sophomore colts dominated this past weekend's

racing headlines with Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet) dodging a bullet named

Scrappy T (Fit to Fight) while turning for home in his eventual 4 3/4-length

Preakness S. (G1) victory. It is remarkable how Thoroughbred fans ignore the

fact that we would not have these Triple Crown runners, in all their glory,

without the great mares that produce them. Former Kentucky Derby (G1) contender

Consolidator (Storm Cat) was retired before he even made it to the "Run for the

Roses", and with his pedigree he could be extremely popular at stud. But how can

he sire any runners without being bred to the fillies and mares that we often

give little recognition to, even after they perform so well on the track? He can

not, nor can proven stallions A.P. Indy, Fusaichi Pegasus or Giant's Causeway,

without the proper mare. The next time this author hears "That colt is going to

be a monster in the stud barn." I am going to reply "Perhaps, but what about

that filly who just won that Grade 1 by open lengths? Do you think she could

possibly throw some good runners?" Just a thought for you the next time you see the

next Mr. Prospector in the paddock: he will need a mate.

On that note, future black-type producer SOCIETY SELECTION

(Coronado's Quest) rebounded off a seventh-place finish in the Shirley Jones H.

(G2), her seasonal debut, to take the Shuvee H. (G2) at Belmont Park by 2 3/4

lengths on Saturday. The four-year-old multiple Grade 1 winner rated off a

contested pace, swung out four wide turning for home, and drew clear leaving the

eighth pole without ever being threatened by 8-5 favorite DAYDREAMING (A.P.

Indy) while stopping the clock in 1:34 1/5 for the one-mile contest. Conditioned

by Allen Jerkins, the new divisional leader has won graded stakes events ranging

from seven furlongs to 1 1/4 miles and will be tough in whatever spot she

appears in next.

ASHADO (Saint Ballado) has begun to round back into her champion

three-year-old form as the Todd Pletcher trainee bounced back from her first

start of the year, when she placed a disappointing fifth as the 1-2 favorite in

the Apple Blossom H. (G1), with a runner-up finish in Friday's Pimlico Breeders'

Cup Distaff H. (G3). The four-year-old was conceding anywhere from seven to nine

pounds to her rivals, and gained valuable experience from that outing. We are

expecting an excellent performance from the dark bay in her next start, and she

still ranks near the top of the Distaff list.

The well-deserving winner of the Pimlico Breeders' Cup Distaff,

SILMARIL (Diamond), brushed with one of her rivals and still defeated a champion

by three-quarters of a length. It appears as though the multiple stakes winner

is rounding into top form for conditioner Christopher Grove and could be a

contender in the distaff division this year. And who knows what kind of runners

she may produce once she is retired?