Breeders’ Cup Preview / Distaff

Just when you didn’t think the biggest weekend could get any hotter, along come the ladies to “throw down.” If you’ve been living under a rock, or just hard at work when the announcement that Princess of Sylmar was going to run in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. I had this image of a duel at high noon between she and Royal Delta. This doesn’t give her the money and the trophy just yet, but it sure makes for one incredible race to enjoy. Here are a few of the runners that will be tossing their hat in the ring.

 

The Breeders’ Cup Distaff / 1 1/8 on the dirt

 

Princess of Sylmar / Royal Delta

http://bit.ly/1azCA8w

 

Beholder / Authenticity

http://bit.ly/19VmOC4

 

Close Hatches

http://bit.ly/1aeVlhy

 

The first rule of thumb for horse players is that they have to actually run the races. Nobody gets the gold by what they look like on paper, but a few gals in here are sure to give us chills. I have to be honest and throw myself on the mercy of racing fans everywhere. I didn’t fall in love with Princess early on in her career.

Breaking her maiden at Penn National, then going to the inner track at Aqueduct. None of these races were bad, but the class hound in me started barking. When she paid box cars in the Kentucky Oaks, I was not on the band wagon and dismissed the race. When she took a couple of months off, and came back to Saratoga to win the Coaching Club American Oaks. I was still trying to beat her. It was on 8/17/13 in the Alabama that I became a believer. When she went on to the Beldame, I was leading the band wagon to the winner’s circle. For the majority of fans, they started taking notice long before these races took place. It just took me a few more, and tossing down a handful of tickets to see that she was something special.

Royal Delta has always held that regal spot in my heart. That was until she shipped around the globe to Dubai. She faced the boys at Meydan and finished a dismal 10th. After that race, she just didn’t look the same. I don’t know if it was the trip, facing the boys, or just a long campaign. But I started to question my decisions to key her as the heavy favorite. When she faced the “Princess” I thought she may have some trouble, but I kept faith the old girl could get it done. The Beldame has me wondering. Is she up to the task? Can she rebound and turn the tables?

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