A trio of Fleur de Lis (G2) winners have gone on to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) in the same year, and trainer Brad Cox hopes A Mo Reay will be the fourth.
The 4-year-old filly is the 8-5 favorite in Saturday’s $400,000 Fleur de Lis, which drew a field of eight fillies and mares, 4 and up. This year, the 1 1/8-mile race is not part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” challenge series, but that might not matter depending on the outcome.
Cox has a strong hand in several races on a big day at Ellis Park, highlighted by the $1 million Stephen Foster (G1). After a three-race win streak that included the Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita in March, Cox believes A Mo Reay is up for a strong effort.
“I think the mile-and-an-eighth distance in the Fleur de Lis should suit her well,” Cox said. “She’s a Grade I winner and a very consistent filly.”
A Mo Reay has a career record of 13-5-1-3 and earnings of $728,275 for owner Hunter Valley Farm. Flavien Prat has the call leaving from post 6.
Pauline’s Pearl, the 3-1 second choice, is looking to rebound from a sixth-place finish in the La Troienne (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 5. The 5-year-old gray mare has a strong record of 15-5-3-3 and earnings of $1,881,400 for owner Stonestreet Stable.
Fleur de Lis/BC Distaff winners are: Escena (1998), Royal Delta (2012), and Forever Unbridled (2017).
The field, from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds:
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