Taris Will Cut Back for Humana Distaff

Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier's multiple graded-stakes winner Taris will cut back in distance after a strong effort in a 1 1/8-mile grade I stakes in California when she starts in the $300,000 Humana Distaff (gr. I) May 7 at Churchill Downs.

The seven-furlong Humana Distaff, for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and up, attracted a strong field of 10. It goes as the eighth race on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) undercard Saturday afternoon.

Taris, to be ridden for the first time by Flavien Prat from post 8 in her first Churchill start, has a strong record at seven furlongs. She has a victory in the Raven Run Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland and close second in the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park in 2014, and a third-place finish after a troubled trip in the Twinspires Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I) last fall at Keeneland.

In her last start March 19 in the Santa Margarita Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita, Taris sat just off the leader, took the lead in the stretch, and was passed late by Tara's Tango. She finished second in her only start at 1 1/18 miles.

Simon O'Callaghan trains the 5-year-old Flatter   mare who was purchased by her connections for $2.35 million at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

The 5-year-old Harlington   mare Wavell Avenue, who won last year's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint for owners Michael Dubb, David Simon, Head of Plains Partners, and Bethlehem Stables, made her 2016 debut April 9 at Keeneland and finished a closing third in the seven-furlong Madison Stakes (gr. I) for trainer Chad Brown. Wavell Avenue also will make her Churchill debut and worked on the main track there April 23 in advance of the Humana Distaff.

Joel Rosario, aboard for the Breeders' Cup win, has the call from the outside post 10.

Stoneway Farm's Stonetastic, who has finished behind Taris and Wavell Avenue, is two-for-two this year with two dominating victories at Gulfstream Park for trainer Kelly Breen. The 5-year-old Mizzen Mast   mare began her year with a win in the Miami Shores Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs and followed up with a 3 3/4-length score in the seven-furlong Inside Information Stakes (gr. II).

Stonestastic drew post 2 and with regular rider Paco Lopez named.