Monomoy Girl Continues Work Toward 2019 Debut

Progress on the comeback trail continued for 2018 3-year-old filly champion and Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Monomoy Girl Aug. 17, as she put in her second timed work since suffering a case of colic this year.

Recovery from the setback has sidelined the 4-year-old daughter of Tapizar  since her Nov. 3 victory at the World Championships, but Saturday she passed another milestone when she breezed four furlongs in :48 3/5 at Churchill Downs, the 17th-fastest of 90 works at the distance.

Owned by Michael Dubb, Sol Kumin's Monomoy Stables, Stuart Grant's The Elkstone Group, and Michael Caruso's Bethlehem Stables, Monomoy Girl also breezed three furlongs in approximately :36 3/5 Aug. 10 at Churchill, according to trainer Brad Cox, but that work was not reported by Equibase clockers.

"It was great," Kumin said. "We're super happy about the way she's doing. We're taking our time. She's coming into hand at a pretty good pace, but we're going to let her tell us what to do. So far, it's so good."

While plans for Monomoy Girl's racing career are in flux, Kumin said that if all goes according to plan, the filly would get one race before trying to defend her title at the Breeders Cup Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.

"In a perfect world, if everything goes great, we'll get one race in her and then go to the Breeders' Cup. If she's not ready, we won't," he said.

Kumin also expressed continued confidence in Monomoy Girl racing in 2020.

"We'll talk to the partners," Kumin said, "but this is a group that loves racing, and our plan is to race next year."

Bred in Kentucky by FPF and Highfield Ranch out of the Henny Hughes mare Drumette, Monomoy Girl has won 9 of 11 starts with earnings of $2,954,750. She was purchased by BSW Bloodstock agent Liz Crow from the Gainesway consignment at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where she sold for $100,000.

Rupp Racing's Owendale also worked for Cox at Churchill Downs Saturday morning. The 3-year-old Into Mischief  colt went a half-mile in :48 4/5 in preparation for the Aug. 24 Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Owendale broke through in the April 13 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland, ran third in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course, and last out won the June 22 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown.