LAST YEAR'S WINNER - THORPEDO ANNA

• Trainer: Kenneth McPeek
• Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr
• Owner: Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc (J G Sikura), Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek), Edwards, Mark and Hicks, Judy B
• US Tote Win: $2.80
• BETTING STATS
• 2007-2024
• Favourites: 8/18 (44.4%) | Level stake profit +5.6%
• Odds-on Favs: 2/2 (100%) | Level stake profit +45%
• Median winning price: 2.8-1
• 2008-2024 in California
• Favourites: 5/11 (45.5%) | Level stake break even
• Odds-on Favs: 2/2 (100%) | Level stake profit +45%
• Median winning price:  2.8-1

By Barry Faulkner

The were seven runners in the 2024 Distaff, making it the 10th time in the last 18 years that a single figure field had faced the starter, more than any other Breeders’ Cup division.

The median winning price of 2.8-1 for Distaff is the skinniest in any Breeders’ Cup division since the programme of races was increased in 2007, with Thorpedo Anna - going off at 2-5 last year - the shortest-priced winner ever. In the last 18 runnings, only four of the winners were not in the front three in the betting.

Run record and class clues

Only two of the winners arrived on the big day without a G1 on their record, with Marche Lorraine - a 49.9-1 scorer in 2021 - and Unrivaled Belle in 2010 both having won a G2 previously. Ten of the 18 winners won their final prep, including the last six.

Returners have done well in the races, and not only those who were previous winners, with five of the last nine winners fitting that description.

New York preps were once the favoured route but Forever Unbridled, a winner at Del Mar 2017, was the last to come via a race in the Empire State.

Run styles

The Distaff has been a good hunting ground for stalkers/closers, although Thorpedo Anna did lead all the way on gentle fractions as she outclassed her rivals last year. And that has been the key, with class usually the deciding factor rather than the shape of the race.

Age group

Last year’s winner became the fifth representative of the classic generation to take this in the last 18 runnings, with four-year olds winning eight and older mares picking up the other five.

Draw

Short fields have tended to minimise the impact of the draw in this division, with winners emerging from right across the starting gate.

Guidelines

• The betting public has this one better taped than some divisions

• Prior experience in the Distaff has been useful

• Look for stalkers/closers

• Four-year-olds have done best but class usually outdoes age group