Delaware Handicap a Breeders' Cup Audition for Mopotism

Reddam Racing's Mopotism is a filly who likes to race and her two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Doug O'Neill most assuredly is willing to run her.

Grade 2 winner Mopotism is entered for her sixth start of 2018 in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (G2) July 14 at Delaware Park, which will be the ninth different track the 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo  has raced. A win in the lucrative 1 1/4-mile test for fillies and mares would put her career earnings past $1 million.

Mopotism's 4-year-old season started with a win in the grade 2 La Canada Stakes going a mile at Santa Anita Park in January. The filly out of the Bernardini  mare Peppy Rafaela then came back with a second in the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) to Unique Bella and a third in the 1 1/4-mile Santa Margarita Stakes (G1). Following an off-the-board experiment on the turf in the Gamely Stakes (G1), Mopotism was shipped to Kentucky where she would rally late to finish third in the Fleur de Lis Handicap (G2) at Churchill Downs.

It's been a busy schedule for Mopotism but her trainer says his charge relishes the action.

"She's a big, strong filly and she loves to run," O'Neill said from his Southern California headquarters. "You have to listen to your horses and let them tell you whether they should run or not, and everything Mopotism has been telling us lately says she's ready to go."    

Mopotism has amassed earnings of $668,745 in 19 starts but has only three wins to her credit. But she's been consistent, as she also has five seconds and four thirds. Of course all involved would like a few more wins.

"She's been running with top company her entire career," O'Neill said. "Her last 13 races have been in graded races and she's faced some top horses like Unique Bella. She's a long-striding, late-running type of horse and with a horse like that, the early pace can make or break your chances to win it all. But she's incredibly consistent. She shows up every race and gives you all she's got and you can't ask for more than that in a horse."

While O'Neill is well aware of the talents of multiple grade 2 winner Farrell, he was glad to see the filly enter Saturday's race, just in terms of adding early pace to the mix. After leading into the stretch, Coffeepot Stables' Farrell finished second in the Fleur de Lis, one spot ahead of Mopotism.

"She ran a good race against us at Churchill and I know if she's in there the pace will be realistic which is what we're looking for," O'Neill said. "If they crawl along that hurts our chances."

O'Neill said Mopotism continues to train with vigor following that June 16 effort. 

"We worked her in company the other morning (July 6 at Santa Anita) and she worked dynamite (1:00.60)," O'Neill said. "She's also a good shipper which is another thing that went into our decision to come East. I have every confidence she'll run her race. Then it just boils down to how the things play out."

O'Neill said the DelCap, which has seen a long list of winners go on to earn Eclipse Awards, will provide a chance to see how Mopotism fits in terms of a Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) try this fall at Churchill Downs.

"This race is her (Mopotism) chance to show she belongs with the best, that she deserves a chance to go to Churchill this fall," O'Neill said. "This is her audition."