Close Hatches, Untapable Take Aim at Distaff
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After finishing fourth as the 1-5 favorite in the Spinster Stakes (gr. I) Keeneland, Juddmonte Farms' Close Hatches will try to bounce back in the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) Oct. 31 at Santa Anita Park.
That fourth-place effort Oct. 5 snapped a four-race win streak for the 4-year-old First Defence filly that included scores in three grade I races. Close Hatches, one of a dozen fillies and mares pre-entered in the Distaff, finished second to Beholder in last year's edition.
Beholder had figured to be the favorite in this year's Distaff but her connections decided against the 1 1/8-mile race after the two-time champion had an ill-timed high body temperature Oct. 19.
One of the many accomplished fillies awaiting Close Hatches will be top 3-year-old Untapable, who would face older rivals for the first time. The daughter of Tapit boasts three grade I victories this year against other 3-year-old fillies.
| 2014 Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) Pre-Entries | |||
| Horse | Owner | Trainer | Notes |
| Belle Gallantey | Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, Gary Aisquith | Rudy Rodriguez | |
| Close Hatches | Juddmonte Farms, Inc. | William I. Mott | |
| Don't Tell Sophia | Philip A. Sims, Jerry Namy | Philip A. Sims | |
| Iotapa | Hronis Racing LLC | John W. Sadler | |
| L'Amour de Ma Vie | Pegasus Farms Ltd. | Pia Brandt | |
| Parranda | Gilbert G. Campbell, D Clark, Gatto Racing LLC, Jerry Hollendorfer, Greg Skoda | Jerry Hollendorfer | First Preference: Filly and Mare Turf |
| Ria Antonia | Loooch Racing Stable, Chris Dunn | Thomas M. Amoss | |
| Stanwyck | Mr. & Mrs. Jerome S. Moss | John A. Shirreffs | |
| Tiz Midnight | Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson , Paul Weitman | Bob Baffert | |
| Unbridled Forever | Charles E. Fipke | Dallas Stewart | |
| Untapable | Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC | Steven M. Asmussen | |
| Valiant Emilia | Teneri Farm Inc. | Gary Mandella | |