Breeders’ Cup Distaff Tips & Betting Preview

What a remarkable story; 11 runs, 11 victories. Songbird has been nothing short of incredible thus far and she will face her toughest task to date in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. The Medaglia d’Oro filly is bidding to become just the third undefeated horse to win the race, along with the imperious Zenyatta and Personal Ensign. The Jerry Hollendorfer trained superstar went off the 6/10 favourite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies this time last year and absolutely hacked up. Her victories have been effortless and how she is even money is anyone’s guess, but there is no doubt that she should be much shorter to many. She will go down as one of the greatest fillies ever if she can land this contest and she looks good value to do so.

1 BEHOLDER – Fantastic servant to Richard Mandella, notching up 17 victories from her 25 starts to date. Won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2012 and was voted American Champion Two-Year-Old that season. Won this race in 2013 and was then named the American Champion Three-Year-Old. Plagued by injury as a four-year-old and has not won on any of her last three starts, but it would be foolish to dismiss her. She is a Grade 1 winner this year, winning the Vanity Mile Stakes and there was no disgrace being beaten by Stellar Wind and California Chrome. Sure to be involved in the finish.

2 CARINA MIA – Won the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont in June, but on this occasion this looks far too tough a test for her. She was no match for Songbird at Saratoga in July and was well beaten by the same filly when last seen at Parx. She has place claims at the very best.

3 CORONA DEL INCA – Argentinian raider who won the Grade 1 Gran Premio Criadores over one mile and two furlongs back in May. Hard to know how good she is, but Argentinian form usually does not amount to much and the fact that she won only by a nose would be off-putting. Hard to fancy.

4 CURALINA – Finished third in this race last year, finishing about three lengths behind the second Stellar Wind who re-opposes this year. Multiple Grade 1 winner, but her form looks very inconsistent this season and she will have to improve considerably to be competitive.

5 FOREVER UNBRIDLED – Won the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in April and, although she was no match for Cavorting in two starts after that, she won with a lot of authority. Each way chance if she can repeat that run.

6 I’M A CHATTERBOX – Could only muster up eighth in this race last year, so clearly has to improve a good deal to get involved in what looks a stronger renewal this year. She absolutely bolted up in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland last time out so is at least coming here at the top of her game.

7 LAND OVER SEA – Beaten over 13 lengths by Songbird when she finished seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last year. She has been well beaten by the same opponent on three occasions since and it’s hard to envisage her reaching the places on all known form.

8 SONGBIRD – Has the potential to be the greatest filly we have ever seen. She has now notched up 11 straight wins. Not only does she win her races, she also demolishes her rivals in the process. We could be looking at a true superstar and she will take an awful lot of beating.

9 STELLAR WIND – Won the Eclipse Award as a three-year-old and is well known for her rivalry with Beholder. She won the Santa Ysabel Stakes and Santa Anita Oaks in the spring of 2015 and recorded two further big victories back in California before finishing second in this race last year. The 2015 American Champion Three-Year-Old can fight it out with Songbird and Beholder in what looks a sublime race.