2021 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Contenders, Odds and Post Position
In the days leading up to the 38th Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in California, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the horses in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Saturday, Nov. 6). Profiles will be updated followed the post-position draw on Monday, Nov. 1.
By Noel Michaels
Shedaresthedevil -Photo Courtesy of Benoit Photo
Best known as the winner of the 2020 Kentucky Oaks (G1) over a field that included eventual Preakness winner Swiss Skydiver, Shedaresthedevil has gone on to enjoy an excellent 2021 season with four victories in five starts, including the Azeri Stakes (G2), the La Troienne (G1), and Del Mar’s Clement L. Hirsch (G1).
In her final prep for the Distaff, the 4-year-old filly trained by Brad Cox won the Locust Grove (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Her only loss this year came in the Ogden Phipps (G1) at Belmont Park, where she finished third to Letruska and runner-up Bonny South – both set to run un the Distaff. The filly is 4-for-4 in two-turn races in 2021.
“I’m very pleased. The idea was to get her to break alertly, then get a good spot. That’s exactly what happened. She ran her race today and she’s very good when she does,’’ said her jockey Florent Geroux after the Hirsch. “I’d have to say she’s up there with the best mares I’ve ever ridden. This is her third Grade 1 win, and the fact that she showed she can run well on the track where the Breeders’ Cup will be held, that’s a good thing, too.”
In the Hirsch, Shedaresthedevil was denied the lead, but showed pace versatility by being able to win from just off the pace. She showed the same versatility – not needing the lead to win – when sitting off Gamine and then pouncing in the Churchill Downs stretch to win the Kentucky Oaks.
“She came out of her last race in really good order. She’s had a couple of breezes since and they’ve both been good moves,’’ Cox said after the Locust Grove. “We’ll continue to keep her on a Saturday schedule, and she’ll ship out (to Del Mar) on Monday (Nov. 1).”
Shedaresthedevil beat Letruska in the Azeri, and Letruska turned the tables in the Phipps.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Profile: Shedaresthedevil
Post position: TBD
Odds: TBD
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owners: Flurry Racing Stables LLC, Qatar Racing Limited, Big Aut Farms
Career record: 19-6-2-4
Career earnings: $2,291,458
Top Equibase speed figure: 113
Pedigree: Daredevil-Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats
Color: Bay
Running style: Early speed
Betting advice: Likely second choice will be the No. 1 alternative for handicappers looking to beat favorite Letruska. She deserves to be in the chalky exacta boxes alongside Letruska and should also be included in multi-race wagers.
Notes: This will be Shedaresthedevil’s first and last Breeders’ Cup appearance … Shedaresthedevil is entered to be sold as a broodmare prospect at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale on Nov. 9 … Jockey Florent Geroux has compiled an excellent record early in his Breeders’ Cup career, having won seven times from his first 28 mounts … Geroux is a two-time winner of the Distaff in 2018 and 2020 aboard Monomoy Girl, also trained by Cox . . . Cox has trained seven Breeders’ Cup winners, including four in 2020.
2021 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Odds
| PP | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Private Mission | 8-1 | Bob Baffert | Flavien Prat |
| 2 | Royal Flag | 8-1 | Chad Brown | Joel Rosario |
| 3 | Malathaat | 4-1 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
| 4 | Blue Stripe (ARG) | 30-1 | Lafranco Dettori | Marcelo Polanco |
| 5 | Clairiere | 12-1 | Ricardo Santa Ana,Jr | Steven Asmussen |
| 6 | Letruska | 8-5 | Fausto Gutierrez | Irad Ortiz, Jr. |
| 7 | Horologist | 30-1 | William Mott | Junior Alvarado |
| 8 | Shedaresthedevil | 4-1 | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux |
| 9 | As Time Goes By | 15-1 | Bob Baffert | Luis Saez |
| 10 | Marche Lorraine (JPN) | 30-1 | Yoshito Yahagi | Oisin Murphy |
| 11 | Dunbar Road | 15-1 | Chad Brown | Jose L. Ortiz |
Noel Michaels has been involved in many aspects of thoroughbred racing for more than two decades, as a Breeders’ Cup-winning owner and as a writer, author, handicapper, editor, manager and promoter of the sport for a wide range of companies including Daily Racing Form and Nassau County Off-Track Betting.
He also is regarded as the leading source of news and information for handicapping tournaments and the author of the “Handicapping Contest Handbook: A Horseplayer’s Guide to Handicapping Tournaments”, which made his name virtually synonymous with the increasingly-popular tournament scene.
In addition to contributing to US Racing, he is also an analyst on the Arlington Park broadcast team.