Horse Handicapping

Past Breeders Cup Winners

The Breeders' Cup Distaff has not been the race to key on for value over the years, as eight of the first dozen winners were favorites, but there have been some stirring performances over the decades. The 9-furlong dirt race for fillies and mares three years old and up offers a $2 million purse and a full field of 14, just about all of them Grade 1 winners, is in prospect.

In 1994, the trend for long shots began to become apparent as in the last dozen years there have been six double-digit winners including the longest shot, the $113.80 score by Spain. The first four runnings were at one and a quarter miles, and of those Lady's Secret posted the fastest win in 2:01.20. At 9 furlongs, the fastest Distaff was recorded by Inside Information in 1:46.15.

There have been small fields, large fields, dominating performances, and tragedy as super horse Go For Wand broke down in the 1990 renewal, but the buzzword has been champion. In the 22 years of the Cup, the winner of the Distaff has gone on to be crowned Eclipse Award champion 11 times.

Princess Rooney won the inaugural Distaff by seven lengths, and Pleasant Home won last year by nine and a quarter lengths, but the largest margin of victory was the 13 and a half-lengths romp by Inside Information.

Speed doesn't kill in this race either as 13 winners went wire-to-wire or virtually wire-to-wire to win with only four deep closers successful over the years.

This year, the contenders are so closely matched that a bettor cannot settle for a short price and if you are inclined to swing for the fences, spread and gamble in the superfecta.