Juddmonte Farms’ Idiomatic discovered a brand new gear within the last furlong of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park, forging forward and holding late challengers at bay to win the $2 million race by a half-length below Florent Geroux.
The gutsy show ought to make sure the daughter of Curlin an Eclipse Award as champion older filth feminine and figures to garner her consideration for Horse of the 12 months. Not unhealthy for a filly who wintered at Turfway Park and initially wasn’t projected for such heights.
Juddmonte USA supervisor Garrett O’Rourke recalled a 2021 dialog with Geroux, who after working Idiomatic as a juvenile commented that he thought she might be one thing particular. As Idiomatic was one among a number of younger Juddmonte fillies with coach Brad Cox on the time, O’Rourke admitted to being a bit confused.
“Florent got here again and mentioned, ‘The Curlin filly, wow, she’s good,’” O’Rourke mentioned Saturday. “I used to be like, ‘the Curlin filly? Actually?’
“She has stepped up. She has an engine and, boy, she wanted that engine down the stretch as we speak. She produced.”
Despatched off the 9-5 favourite within the Distaff, Idiomatic broke easily from publish 2 as Alabama Stakes Offered by Keeneland Gross sales winner Randomized quickly secured her acquainted place on the lead as she aimed to increase her three-race win streak for coach Chad Brown. Randomized and jockey Jose Ortiz blitzed by a quarter-mile in :22.31, half-mile in :46.26, and 6 furlongs in 1:10.16. Your complete means, Idiomatic prompted, a half-length behind.
Idiomatic edged to the lead within the stretch then fought determinedly to keep up her benefit, ending a half-length in entrance of runner-up Randomized and finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.57 on a quick monitor.
“After I wanted her most – the final eighth of a mile once I actually requested her – she simply put her head down and began digging for me actually laborious,” mentioned Geroux, who gained the Distaff in 2018 and 2020 aboard Cox-trained Monomoy Woman. “She was all coronary heart in that victory.
Randomized, the highest 3-year-old finisher within the race, displayed coronary heart as effectively to carry off the closers and end second. Le Da Vida, who had completed second to Idiomatic final out within the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes Oct. 8 at Keeneland, completed third – main a gaggle of closers who couldn’t fairly catch the highest two.
The Distaff marked Idiomatic’s ninth begin within the first 11 months of 2023 and through that point she has gained eight races, together with 5 straight graded stakes, and three straight Grade 1 stakes.
And, there nonetheless was sufficient within the tank for that last determined furlong of the Distaff. Cox famous that moreover the quite a few begins this season, the sturdy filly’s ahead working fashion permits for few interludes as soon as the gates open.
“It’s not like she’s falling out of the gate and desires a set-up,” Cox mentioned. “She runs the entire race. That’s, in my eyes, what good horses do. They’re capable of break, be concerned, and proceed on.
“Pay attention, I feel she undoubtedly deserves some votes for Horse of the 12 months. It’s a severe (race) report,” Cox mentioned. “It’s not horse of the autumn, horse of the summer time, horse of the spring, or horse of the Breeders’ Cup. She has had an amazing 12 months from begin to end. Right this moment was simply icing on the cake.”
For followers, extra sweets might observe from the 17.2-hand filly, who Cox believes will be the tallest horse he’s skilled. Whereas he didn’t absolutely commit, noting that Juddmonte management should weigh in, O’Rourke mentioned Idiomatic most probably will return for her 5-year-old season in 2024.
