A year ago, Idiomatic was nearly unbeatable. She went 8-for-9, winning five consecutive graded stakes, including the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). There was even buzz about considering her for Horse of the Year.
This year at age 5 she’s been impressive (2-for-4) but not invincible. She lost two of her last three races, both Grade 1s, by a head to Chad Brown trainees Randomized and Raging Sea.
“Very unlucky not to win all four this year,” jockey Florent Geroux told bloodhorse.com. “It’s a little frustrating, to be honest, but she’s still in good form. Hopefully, she can win again Sunday and go to the Breeders’ Cup in good form.”
Idiomatic. NYRA/Coglianese Photo
Champion Idiomatic seeks a repeat in the Spinster
Last year’s champion older dirt female will try to repeat in the “Win and You’re In” Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and earn an automatic bid to defend her title in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
For those who like to bet on horse racing, here are a few handicapping tips for the Spinster:
Idiomatic isn’t quite the same after her grueling 2023 campaign, but her superior early speed provides a big advantage over five Spinster opponents. Unless she starts slowly, as she did in her Ogden Phipps loss, she and Geroux should be able to control the pace. The 3-5 morning-line favorite should improve to 12-for-17 lifetime.
Stalker/closer Candied (9-2) looks like the best bet to complete a small exacta. Trainer Todd Pletcher’s improving 3-year-old was second in her last two, the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), when she chased superstar Thorpedo Anna, and the Alabama Stakes (G1). Occult and Honor D Lady should battle Candied for second.
The Spinster is race 9 with a post time of 5:16 p.m. ET.
The picks: 1 Idiomatic 2 Candied 3 Occult
The field for the $600,000 Spinster Stakes (G1), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, and odds:
1 Idiomatic (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox), 3-5
2 Candied (Luis Saez, Todd Pletcher), 9-2
3 Loved (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh), 10-1
4 Honor D Lady (John Velazquez, Saffie Joseph, Jr.), 4-1
5 Bow Draw (Aubrie Green, Henry West, Jr.), 30-1
6 Occult (Jose Ortiz, Chad Brown), 8-1