Distaff Finish Could Alter Monomoy Girl's Future Plans

Speaking during a media conference call Oct. 28, trainer Brad Cox said there is a possibility Monomoy Girl could race for her current owners next year.

The 5-year-old daughter of Tapizar , the champion 3-year-old filly of 2018, is entered in The November Sale at Fasig-Tipton near Lexington Nov. 8, the day after she runs in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland. She is the likely favorite for the Distaff, a race she captured in 2018 when the Breeders' Cup was held at Churchill Downs.

She is unbeaten in three starts this year, including a victory in the La Troienne Stakes Presented by Oak Grove Racing and Gaming (G1) at Churchill Sept. 4. After missing all of 2019 due to a series of ailments, she has improved to 12-for-14 with earnings of more than $3.3 million for owners Michael Dubb, Sol Kumin's Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables.

"I just think that they have it in the back of their minds if she shows up and runs extremely well in the Distaff, it could be a possibility they would like to campaign her in 2021 given the fact she did not race as a 4-year-old," Cox said. "This is basically her 4-year-old season. For a mare 5, turning 6, she's somewhat lightly raced.

"I think a lot is going to hinge on what happens Breeder's Cup Day. There is going to be a meeting at some point after the Breeders' Cup, that night or probably the next day, and at some point, we're going to have to get a gameplan ready and see what happens."

Bloodstock agent Liz Crow, who purchased the mare as a yearling for her owners and advises the partnership, said later on Wednesday that she wants to make it clear there is no intention to withdraw Monomoy Girl from The November Sale. The mare is part of the consignment of ELiTE Sales, in which Crow is a partner with Bradley Weisbord.

"The plan, I would say, is to run her through the ring, and if the owners decide to buy her back, that would be a possibility," she said. "It would be sad to see her go."

The November Sale at Fasig-Tipton and the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale are marketplaces for certain Breeders' Cup competitors, though some owners choose to withdraw their entries or set high reserves.

Last year, Distaff winner Blue Prize sold for $5 million to Larry Best's OXO Equine at The November Sale when consigned by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services as agent for her racing owner, Merriebelle Stable.

Another of the sale's expected headliners, Midnight Bisou, was withdrawn by owners Bloom Racing Stable, Kumin's Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing to race in 2020. She then kicked off her year in the $20 million Saudi Cup, where she earned $3.5 million with a runner-up finish behind Maximum Security .

(Saudi officials in the race said last month that first prize money remains on hold until there is a resolution of criminal charges in the United States against Jason Servis, former trainer of Maximum Security.)

Midnight Bisou is re-entered in The November Sale this fall, consigned by ELiTE.

The Saudi Cup returns next year on Feb. 20, and the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park is Jan. 23 before the breeding season begins.