Monomoy Girl Arrives in New York for Ruffian

Champion Monomoy Girl arrived in New York July 2 in advance of the July 11 Ruffian Stakes (G2), a race that will mark her return to the graded ranks.

The daughter of Tapizar  shipped to Belmont Park Wednesday alongside Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) contender Warrior's Charge for trainer Brad Cox. Following an Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old campaign in 2018 that included five top-level victories—the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, the Acorn Stakes (G1) at Belmont, the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, and the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) back at Churchill—Monomoy Girl missed the entirety of her 4-year-old season.

She was sent to WinStar Farm in the spring of 2019 after a mild case of colic and suffered an injury to her hamstring in the fall when preparing for a potential comeback.

Despite being forced to twice delay her long-anticipated return, Monomoy Girl put her winning ways on display last out in a one-turn mile at Churchill in an allowance-level event that featured stakes winners Talk Veuve To Me and Fashion Faux Pas.

In her first start since defeating older fillies and mares in the 2018 Breeders' Cup Distaff, Monomoy Girl tracked the pace on a sloppy main track, sitting a close fifth early. She received her cue from jockey Florent Geroux around the far turn before drawing off to a 2 3/4-length victory.

"She's doing awesome. It would help if we could have run a week or two earlier, but it's a great spot to jump off her last effort," said Liz Crow of BSW/Crow Bloodstock. Crow manages Monomoy Girl on behalf of owners Monomoy Stables, Michael Dubb, the Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables.

Although the talented chestnut mare's career highlights have taken place in the two-turn Kentucky Oaks and Breeders' Cup Distaff, Crow said Monomoy Girl can thrive in a one-turn mile. She owns victories going the distance in the Acorn in June 2018 as well as in the Rags to Riches Stakes at Churchill during her 2-year-old campaign.

"She's deadly going a one-turn mile," Crow said. "Her speed figures in the Acorn, Rags to Riches, and her last start were great. But from here, she'll see a mile and a sixteenth to a mile and an eighth. The (Aug. 1) Personal Ensign (G1) is a little quick back after the Ruffian, but we do know that the Breeders' Cup is definitely the long term."

Crow signed the ticket for Monomoy Girl when she was purchased from Gainesway's consignment for $100,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

"It's amazing how much she's changed," Crow said. "If you look at her, you could mistake her for a colt. Her hips have widened, her shoulders have deepened, and looking at her now as a 5-year-old, she just doesn't look like the same horse. She's better now than she's ever been."

Monomoy Girl has accumulated just over $3 million in earnings and has never finished worse than second in a dozen starts, 10 of which were victories.