Top 5 2014 Breeders' Cup Distaff Contenders
With the two-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder out of the picture with a spiking fever, it will be anyone's race to win this year's Breeders' Cup Distaff. Last year's runners-up Close Hacthes and Untapable will be the favorites heading into the Ladies Classic as Tiz Midnight will be this year's sleeper. Belle Gallantey will also be a horse to watch as the 5-year-old has much improved since Rudy Rodriguez took over Dec. 19.
1. Untapable trained by Steve Asmussen: Kentucky Oaks champion Untapable, trained by Steve Asmussen, could be the favorite after strong work Oct. 19 at Santa Anita. Of 67 works, she was fast, running five furlongs in :58 3/5 seconds. Besides a fifth-place finish in the Haskell Invitational, Untapable has been unbeatable. In her last six graded starts, she has won five. Her rider is to be determined.
2. Close Hatches trained by William Mott: The 4-year-old filly will get another chance to win the Longines Distaff in the 2014 Breeders' Cup after finishing second to Beholder last year. In her last performance at Keenland, Close Hatches, ridden by Joel Rosario, finished a disappointing fourth place finish as the 1-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes. In 13 starts, Close Hatches has won nine times, including five Grade 1 wins. As a 3-year-old, Close Hatches finished seventh in the 2013 Kentucky Oaks.
3. Belle Gallantey trained by Rudy Rodriguez: Ever since trainer Rudy Rodriguez took over Belle Gallantey on Dec. 19, the 5-year-old has been on a tear, winning five of her last seven. Coming off a win in the Grade 1 Beldame Stakes in Belmont, Belle Gallentey will enter the first Breeders Cup race of her career. Belle Gallantey has plenty of experience at Santa Anita, winning two of six races she ran early in her career. She is currently at 8-1.
4. Tiz Midnight trained by Bob Baffert: The Baffert-trained filly is blooming at the right time. She is coming off a second-place finish behind Beholder in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes. Like Iotapa, Santa Anita is her home track, so she'll feel comfortable heading into the biggest race of her career. Morning line will be around 12-1 odds.
5. Iotapa trained by John Sadler: The West Coast-based Iotapa trained by John Sadler is coming off a poor performance in Santa Anita's Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes, finishing third after horrible break at the gate. Before the Zenyatta Stakes, the 4-year-old filly won two straight Grade 1 wins: Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar (Breeders' Challenge) and Santa Anita's Vanity Stakes. At 10-1, Iotapa could be an attractive price.
