Juddmonte’s Kentucky homebred Idiomatic—last year’s Eclipse champion older dirt female—made a victorious seasonal bow in the $1 million La Troienne Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard on Friday, May 3.
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, Idiomatic turned back pace pressure from Dorth Vader in the lane. She then repulsed a bid from 2023 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Pretty Mischievous in the stretch and drew clear late for a convincing 1 ½-length score. She covered 1 1/16 miles over a sloppy track in 1:43.24. The win marked her sixth consecutive victory.
“Great effort,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “I was hoping we’d either get the lead or track the outside horse. We found ourselves traveling in the inside position, which is not ideal. There was a little concern when he (jockey Florent Geroux) started knuckling down on her a little bit, but she really responded. She cut the corner and kind of felt some pressure and kicked away.”
Florent Geroux added, “She was the class of the field. My filly once she started getting into her stride, you could tell she was getting into a nice rhythm and from there, she just went on.”
Idiomatic is now a four-time Grade 1 winner and an earner of more than $3 million. Last year, the daughter of Curlin captured the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), the Spinster Stakes (G1), and capped off her championship season with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). She is produced from the Grade 1-placed First Defence mare Lockdown.