Monomoy Girl Back Galloping at Churchill Downs

Monomoy Girl, the reigning champion 3-year-old filly, returned to trainer Brad Cox's Churchill Downs base from WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky., July 14 after recovering from an early spring colic episode.

Bloodstock agent Liz Crow of BSW Bloodstock said the 4-year-old daughter of Tapizar  owned by Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables has been galloping since her arrival after resuming training at WinStar.

"She's doing great. She left WinStar in perfect condition and had plenty of weight. She gained nearly 200 pounds since she colicked," Crow said. "She was galloping there and doing really well, and she's been galloping with Brad now for three days and he's super happy with her.

"We're just taking it day by day at this point. We're not sure exactly when she'll be ready to breeze. Maybe 10 days, maybe two weeks. And then once we get her in a breeze schedule, we'll start slowly thinking about where she'll return."

Monomoy Girl won five grade 1 races last year—the Central Bank Ashland Stakes, Longines Kentucky Oaks, Acorn Stakes, Coaching Club American Oaks, and Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff—and was being pointed to a seasonal debut in the May 3 La Troienne Stakes (G1) at her Louisville base.

She started her 2019 training with Cox's string at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and exited a van ride back in late March with an upset stomach. Following treatment at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., Monomoy Girl was sent to WinStar to recover.

Prior to her Churchill return, Crow said Monomoy Girl's schedule at the farm started with a 6 a.m. gallop in which every other day she traveled the incorrect way, or clockwise, followed by turnout from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., and then 10 minutes on the Aquatred in the afternoon.

Crow added Monomoy Girl arrived at WinStar weighing about 1,044 pounds after being sick and did not eat for a couple of days in the clinic. The chestnut filly now weighs in at 1,250 pounds, part of which Crow attributes to her physical maturity from 3 to 4.

"It's incredible how much she's actually changed. She really filled out through her chest and her shoulders," Crow said. "She's gotten a little bit bigger and a little bit more muscle mass. You can even notice when you stand behind her that her hips have widened as well, so it's kind of scary to think as good as she was at 3, she's really physically developed at 4."

Crow noted Cox, the owners, and herself are hoping Monomoy Girl can make a return at the Breeders' Cup this year to defend her Distaff title, but there is no specific goal set for getting her back to the races this fall.

"We're just not going to rush her. She's going to let us know when she's ready to run. If that's the end of September, early October, or a race before the Breeders' Cup, that'd be great," Crow said. "And if she's not ready by the Breeders' Cup, then we'll wait and run her at 5."

Crow purchased Monomoy Girl for $100,000 from Gainesway's consignment at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The filly has put together an impressive 9-2-0 record from 11 starts, with $2,954,750 in earnings.