Competition emerges for Stellar Wind

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stellar Wind remains favored for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, but not by much. In fact, the Distaff, to be run Nov. 3 at Del Mar, became a lot more competitive following decisive victories Sept. 30 by resurgent 3-yearolds Elate and Paradise Woods.

Elate powered to an 8 1/4-length score in the Grade 1 Beldame at Belmont Park, her second straight Grade 1 romp. Her early Distaff odds subsequently were trimmed by Daily Racing Form. Elate is 4-1 second choice; Stellar Wind is 7-2.

Paradise Woods scored an emphatic victory in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita. The front-runner won by more than five lengths to re-emerge as a top Distaff contender. Paradise Woods’s odds were lowered to 6-1, co-fourth choice with Abel Tasman.

Forever Unbridled’s odds have been adjusted to 5-1 third choice, It Tiz Well is at 8-1, and Champagne Room at 15-1. Only one prep remains – the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes on Sunday at Keeneland. While the Win and You’re In Spinster could produce a Distaff starter, that runner would likely be a longshot.

A small field is expected in the Spinster, led by Romantic Vision and Blue Prize, onetwo last month in a Grade 3 at Churchill Downs. The Spinster has produced more BC Distaff winners than any prep race (10), but none since Pleasant Home in 2005.

Other Distaff candidates are uncertain. Faithfully finished a distant second in the Zenyatta, and Vale Dori seems unlikely to make the Distaff due to a sporadic workout pattern. Vale Dori remains a candidate for the Filly and Mare Sprint. Shenandoah Queen scratched from the Zenyatta with stomach cramps and is no longer a Distaff candidate.

Eight fillies and mares are probable for the Distaff – Stellar Wind (Victor Espinoza to ride), Elate (Jose Ortiz), Forever Unbridled (Joe Rosario), Abel Tasman (Mike Smith), Paradise Woods (Flavien Prat), It Tiz Well (Drayden Van Dyke), Champagne Room (Mario Gutierrez), and the Spinster winner.

Elate is following a familiar pattern of trainer Bill Mott, a five-time winner of the Distaff. Four of those winners prepped in the Beldame, as did Elate. The Beldame win by Elate followed her 5 1/2-length victory over It Tiz Well in the Grade 1 Alabama.

Paradise Woods had an easy time over three rivals in the Zenyatta. Paradise Woods made an uncontested lead and dominated. Paradise Woods appears the likely pacesetter in the Distaff, with Stellar Wind and It Tiz Well in close pursuit.