Swiss Skydiver Soars to Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Title

In an old-school campaign of 10 starts in 2020, Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver went from also-ran in a $125,000 seven-furlong stakes at Tampa Bay Downs to classic winner, to eventual champion. Trainer Ken McPeek, who spared no expense in shipping, deftly crafted the filly's season, and she proved to be hickory, getting stronger with each outing.

"I think I'm entitled to a rebate or a due bill, which I could use next year," said Callahan.

After the effort at Tampa Bay she raced at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park, Santa Anita Park, Keeneland, Saratoga Race Course, Churchill Downs, and Pimlico Race Course. Her season ended back at Keeneland where she was unplaced behind champion Monomoy Girl in the Nov. 7 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Only April and December were unmarked on her dance card.

Swiss Skydiver's campaign was so successful it helped her sire, Daredevil , make his way back to the U.S. after he'd been sold to the Jockey Club of Turkey.

Her first of five wins on the year came in the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and from there she rolled in the Fantasy Stakes (G3) and the Santa Anita Oaks (G2), both races displaced on the calendar due to the closures forced by COVID-19. McPeek, confident in his filly, sent her after the July 11 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2), and she carried the lead before finishing 31/2 lengths behind Art Collector. The effort against the boys would set the table for a classic run at the Oct. 3 Preakness Stakes (G1).

Much the best in Saratoga's signature 3-year-old filly race, the 10-furlong Alabama Stakes (G1) Aug. 15, Swiss Skydiver was the 5-2 second choice to the swift Gamine for the Sept. 4 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), but both star fillies finished behind Shedaresthedevil, with Swiss Skydiver securing the runner-up spot.

Undaunted, McPeek teamed with seasoned rider Robby Albarado and headed to Baltimore for the Preakness. Employing tactics to take it to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Authentic , Swiss Skydiver made a surprise run for the lead down the backstretch. The pair battled the rest of the way at Pimlico with Swiss Skydiver prevailing by a neck. With few people on hand at Old Hilltop, it was the best race of the year few people saw. Callahan watched from his home in Purchase, N.Y.

Callahan, on the advice of McPeek, paid $35,000 for Swiss Skydiver at the 2018 Keeneland September yearling sale. She earned $1,791,820, along with the hearts of racing fans worldwide in 2020. She has returned to training for 2021.