Kopion impresses in Derby City Distaff

Kopion was making her first career start both outside of California and on a track other than fast. However, that made no dent on this classy Richard Mandella-trained daughter of Omaha Beach as she overtook a game Hope Road late to win Saturday’s $999,600 Derby City Distaff (G1) in the slop at Churchill Downs by three widening lengths. 

Running in the colors of Spendthrift Farm, Kopion ran toward the back of the pack early beneath jockey Kazushi Kimura as Mystic Lake set the pace for a half-mile, logging splits of :22.30 and :45.19. Once they got to the top of the stretch, though, she hoisted the white flag to Hope Road, who took the field of 10 through six panels in 1:09.25. 

By this time, Kopion’s rally was well underway, and though Hope Road didn’t give up easily, she was unable to hold off the surge of Kopion, who finished seven furlongs in 1:21.76 on a sloppy main track.

Hope Road held second from Ways and Means, who was slightly favored over the winner, and filling out the order of finish were Scylla, Emery, Positano Sunset, Vahva, Benedetta, Mystic Lake, and Miss Susan B. Awesome Treat, Dorth Vader, Grand Job, Haulin Ice, My Main Squeeze, and Taxed were all scratched. 

Kopion was bred in Kentucky by Tall Oaks Farm and is out of the unraced Victory Gallop mare Galloping Ami, who in addition to Saturday’s winner boasts Canadian champion Amis Gizmo and Grade 3 winner Ami’s Flatter as successful offspring. Galloping Ami has a reported 2025 unnamed filly by Curlin. 

Kopion became racing’s newest millionaire and now possesses earnings of $1,024,700. The chestnut has five wins from seven starts, including scores in the La Brea (G1), Santa Monica (G2) and Santa Ynez (G3), all at Santa Anita. She has yet to taste defeat around one turn.

Spendthrift acquired Kopion at the 2022 Keeneland September sale for $270,000, money well spent.