Juddmonte homebred Idiomatic outdueled Randomized in a stretch-long battle to prevail in the 40th running of the $2,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, the Kentucky-bred completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.57. The win marked the 10th Breeders’ Cup victory for Cox and the eighth for Geroux.
Randomized set the pace in the Distaff but was flanked throughout by Idiomatic. On the far turn, Geroux sent Idiomatic after Randomized and the two hit the upper stretch together with Idiomatic registering a determined win after the stretch-long duel. The top two were joined in deep stretch by a fast closing Le Da Vida (CHI) who rallied late to get third by a nose over Clairiere.
“I felt like she needed to get a good, clean trip,” said Brad Cox. “She did. She broke well. Randomized was the speed of the speed. She needed to lay close, not let her get away. They both fought on very well. That big stride came in during the last sixteenth of a mile. She was set up close to that hot pace. I’m very proud of the effort.”
Idiomatic is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Curlin and is out of the First Defence mare Lockdown. Now a winner of three consecutive Grade 1 events, Idiomatic added $1,040,000 to her coffers, increasing her bankroll to $2,456,840. The win improved her overall record to 12-9-1-2. Prior to the Distaff, Idiomatic won the Spinster S. (G1) at Keeneland and the Personal Ensign S. (G1) at Saratoga.