Idiomatic Again Using Spinster as Breeders' Cup Set-Up

Juddmonte's champion homebred mare Idiomatic  has her eyes set on more Breeders' Cup glory, with her next stop along that path a familiar one in the $600,000 Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Oct. 6.

One year ago, Idiomatic used the 1 1/8-mile race as a final tune-up for victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), a result she hopes to replicate this year with an automatic, fees-paid berth to the $2 million race Nov. 2 at Del Mar on the line as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event.

However, 2024 has not gone as smoothly as 2023. Last year, she entered the Spinster on a three-race win streak and was 6-for-7 overall. This year, she enters off three dogfights in the stretch, two of which she emerged on the losing end.

"Very unlucky not to win them all. It's a little frustrating, to be honest," said the 5-year-old Curlin   mare's regular rider Florent Geroux. "I feel like she should have won all four so far this year, but she's still in good form and that's the main thing. Hopefully, she can win again Sunday and go to the Breeders' Cup in good form."

In the Aug. 23 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, the Juddmonte homebred dueled on the lead early with Randomized , who used her easy lead to hold off Idiomatic by a head in the June 8 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1). Idiomatic didn't let that happen again and ran her rival into submission, but the battle took a toll late as Randomized's stablemate Raging Sea  was able to run her down by a head in the final strides.

Video: Personal Ensign S. (G1)

Despite the loss, Idiomatic still posted a 106 Equibase Speed Figure, her highest since running a 108 in the 2023 Breeders' Cup.

"It looks like she's doing great in the morning and that she recovered from her race in Saratoga pretty well," Geroux said. "She won over the track already last year in the same race. I'm confident."

The Brad Cox trainee breaks from the rail in the six-horse field, which Geroux does not envision as a problem.

The Competition

Immediately to her outside is Candied , the lone 3-year-old in the field and winner of the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland last year.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' filly has already defeated elders, running a career-best 104 Equibase Speed Figure in the Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park in June. She was then second against 3-year-olds in a pair of Saratoga grade 1s. Luis Saez, who rode her to victory in the Alcibiades, returns to the Candy Ride   filly's saddle for the first time since April.

Behind Candied in the Lady's Secret was Final Furlong Farm and Madaket Stables' Honor D Lady . One month after that 4 1/2-length defeat, the daughter of Honor Code  rebounded with a 5 1/2-length romp in the Delaware Handicap (G2) at Delaware Park.

Chad Brown is the only trainer to defeat Idiomatic in grade 1 company, doing it twice this year. This time Alpha Delta Stables' grade 3 winner Occult  will be his representative.

Loved , a stakes-winning Godolphin homebred half sister to multiple grade 1 winner Maxfield  , looks to rebound off a disappointing sixth in the Sept. 14 Locust Grove Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Wesley Cook's Bow Draw , third in Churchill Downs allowance company Sept. 13, makes her graded debut.

The Spinster is race 9 with post time at 5:16 p.m. ET.