Monomoy Girl Begins 2019 Preparations at Fair Grounds

When Monomoy Girl left Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in March of last year, the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) was her lone graded stakes triumph. Upon returning to the Brad Cox barn this week, she brought not only five grade 1 victories with her, but an Eclipse Award. 

The newly crowned champion 3-year-old filly enjoyed a stellar 2018 campaign that included wins in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), both run at Churchill Downs. 

Cox said the $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 14 at Oaklawn Park remains a possible target for getting her 2019 season underway.

"She looks great," Cox said. "She was under the care of Paul Sharp, and he did a fantastic job with her. The weight is great, she's moving well. We've trained her here for three mornings, and she's doing great. We'll just gradually increase her workload and hopefully have her ready to breeze in maybe two or three weeks. We'll let her tell us what's best."

Campaigned by Monomoy Stables, Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables, the daughter of Tapizar  has won all but two of her 11 starts. She finished runner-up in her two losses—the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) at Churchill to close her 2-year-old campaign, and a disqualification to second in the Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing just before the Breeders' Cup. Her nine victories have come at six tracks.

Following the Breeders' Cup, Monomoy Girl was temporarily freshened at WinStar Farm. But she spent the majority of her downtime near Ocala, Fla., under the care of Sharp, a consigner and pinhooker.  

"She definitely enjoyed her downtime," Sharp said. "She came in in good shape to begin with, and she matured quite a bit physically. I think at the end of the day she was ready to get back to business, but she was a really nice horse to have here.

"We (initially) broke her and helped in the process of getting her from the sale to the racetrack. It was pretty uneventful when she was here, and that was a good thing."

Having familiarized himself with Monomoy Girl before her racing career, Sharp noticed some physical development when she returned to him toward the end of last year. 

"I saw that she put on some muscle," Sharp said. "At this time of year going from 3 to 4, the maturity is what I saw. Her personality is definitely the same, but mostly it was just physical maturity."

Bred in Kentucky by FPF and Highfield Ranch, Monomoy Girl is out of the Henny Hughes mare Drumette, who also produced a 3-year-old full brother named Cowboy Diplomacy who has yet to start. Drumette recently sold to Bridlewood Farm for $1.85 million out of Gainesway's consignment to Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale. Liz Crow of BSW Bloodstock purchased Monomoy Girl for $100,000 as agent from the Gainesway consignment to the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.