Breeders' Cup 2013 - Distaff

11.35 Santa Anita

Breeders' Cup Distaff (Fillies' Grade 1) (Dirt) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner $1,144,200

Advice: 1 pt win Princess of Sylmar (3/1 Ladbrokes)

Street Girl: Respectable fourth and third the last twice in Group 1 events but dismissed by Close Hatches latest in receipt of weight; Doesn’t look good enough.

Authenticity: Has thrived since joining Todd Pletcher (also has Princess of Sylmar) this year, no worse than second in last six runs since March; Came close to landing Ogden Phillips Handicap at Belmont before running second to Royal Delta (well beaten) and Beholder (closer, but never going to pass); Looks held but if that front running pair take eachother on too early, there’s a potential opportunity; Does look a little overmatched though.

Close Hatches: Rapidly progressive 3yo, only horse to have beaten Princess of Sylmr (that when receiving 5lbs in Grade 2 Gazelle Stakes); Caught wide in Kentucky Derby and flat in the Mother Acorn but since been deeply impressive in Mother Goose and game in Cotillion latest (latter off three month break) and no reason why she can’t go close.

Royal Delta: Going for historic treble in this, having swept late in 2011 and outbattled everything from the front here last year; As good as she’s ever been when crushing opposition in Delaware and Personal Ensign  Stakes but combined total of 15 lengths but went quick and had no answer to charge of Princess of Sylmar at Belmont in Beldame latest; Likely that she wasn’t in tip top shape there and this tighter track more likely to favour front running speed rather than deep closing stamina, for all that she was beaten fair and square; Will make a bold bid for the treble

Beholder: Made all in Juvenile Fillies’ last year and just as good this year, winning four of last 5 including Premium Santa Anita Oaks trials, only defeat coming when Princess of Sylmar snatched Kentucky Oaks from under her nose (she pressed a strong pace and outlasted all but her); Since been pretty much unchallenged when landing pair of Grade 1 events (Authenticity behind) and every chance here; Will take catching for everyone but must be noted that she’ll look to lead all the way and may have to battle with Royal Delta for that honour.

Princess of Sylmar: Brushed aside by Close Hatches in Gazelle Stakes at Cotillion Park but that’s the last time she’s been beaten and since won Kentucky Oaks and added three more Grade 1’s to her name, supplementing easy Saratoga successes with comprehensive defeat of Royal Delta at Belmont latest, tracking strong factions set by defending champion before sweeping in deep stretch to win well; should get same benefit here, albeit on a much tighter, more speed favouring track.

VERDICT: One of the races of the meeting with 4 horses in particular – who boast 16 Grade 1’s between them – who look set to produce an epic if all run to form. Splitting the four is hard to say the least but if Royal Delta and Beholder struggle for the lead (and Mike Smith fully intends to be o the front), the advantage could well be with Close Hatches and PRINCESS OF SYLMAR, who beat the two time winner in style at Belmont after stalking strong fractions before sweeping past in deep stretch. This course is going to favour front running speed more and Royal Delta is likely to be tighter than for that meeting, but Todd Pletcher’s filly won fair and square and on that form will be the one for them all to beat.