Monomoy Girl in Fine Form During Final BC Work

While the rainy weather and a track that looked more like peanut butter than dirt kept most Breeders' Cup contenders from working Saturday, the promise of a clear forecast sent them skittering to the Churchill Downs main track in the wee hours of Oct. 28.

Among those who bypassed their scheduled Saturday works was divisional standout Monomoy Girl, likely favorite for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). The Brad Cox trainee joined three of her stablemates on the track Sunday for the 7:30 a.m. ET special training time set for Breeders' Cup horses. 

"She went a half-mile and sat four or five lengths off of Dazzling Gem," Cox said. "She breezed really well, ranged up to him at the quarter pole, and stayed head-to-head throughout the work and the gallop out. It was what we were looking for."

Monomoy Girl registered fractions of :12 1/5, :23 3/5, and :36 1/5 on her way to four furlongs in :48 2/5, with a gallop out to five furlongs in 1:15 4/5, according to Churchill clockers. Regular rider Florent Geroux was in the irons for the work and told Cox he was pleased with the filly's movement over the Louisville, Ky., track. 

With four grade 1 wins this season alone, Monomoy Girl has given her connections little reason to complain. Cox said his filly hasn't lost a step all year and looks ready to take on the challenge of a field that includes champion filly Abel Tasman, multiple graded stakes winner Blue Prize, and 3-year-old rival Midnight Bisou, who beat Monomoy Girl via disqualification in the Sept. 22 Cotillion Stakes (G1) after the Cox trainee was taken down for interference.

"It's a solid group," Cox said of the Distaff lineup. "A very, very solid group of fillies. We've got to show up and run as well as we've ever run, or even better, to get the job done, but this filly is doing every bit as good as she's done all year. She's not regressed at all. She's on top of her game, so I'm happy with where we are.

"As far as works go, I think she's set up for a big race on Saturday."

Cox's three other Breeders' Cup contenders also got in final moves after postponing their previously scheduled workouts. Golden Mischief led the charge and worked first during the 5:15 a.m. opening session. Pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), the 4-year-old Into Mischief  filly worked four furlongs on the dirt in :47 flat. 

"Golden Mischief breezed fantastic," Cox said. "She broke off nice and easy, then finished up extremely well. Super pleased with how she's doing. I think there will be some speed in that race, and Florent (Geroux) is on her as well and has a good feel for her. I think we're in a good spot with her as well."

Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) runner Arklow and Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) contender Will Call worked a half-mile on the main track in :49 3/5 and :49 2/5, respectively. Cox said he was hesitant to work his charges on the turf after witnessing the soggy weather of the previous week. 

"Arklow just ran last Thursday at Keeneland, so we just let him stretch his legs on the dirt, "Cox said. "We didn't really want to work him on the turf because we're a little unsure of how the ground is out there right now. This is obviously our home track, and horses seem to struggle on this track sometimes in the fall. Same thing with Will Call. He's a solid work horse on the dirt.

"We had a very productive morning," Cox said. "So far, so good. We'll see how they look tomorrow morning, and, fingers crossed, we will be ready Saturday."