Defending Breeders’ Cup Distaff champion Untapable will miss this year’s edition after spiking a fever. (Photo credit: Breeders’ Cup Ltd.).
Defending Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) champion Untapable will not have a chance to defend her title, as her connections announced on Tuesday morning she will scratch due to spiking a fever and the discovery of mucus in her tracheal passage after an endoscopic examination.
The mare was the 5-1 co-third choice on the morning line for this year’s Distaff. After winning six of her seven starts last year, she has won just one of her six starts this year.
She did put in a solid effort in a runner up finish in the Spinster (G1) over the Keeneland main track on Oct. 4 in her last outing. She was beaten just a neck by Got Lucky.
With her defection Peace and War, who was on the also-eligible list and at 30-1 on the morning line will draw into the race. The Graham Motion trainee ran third in the Cotillion (G1) at Parx in her last outing. She is winless in five starts this year.
Wedding Toast is the 4-1 morning line favorite for the Distaff. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee has won three in a row, taking the Grade 2 Ruffian followed by a pair of Grade 1 wins in the Ogden Phipps and Beldame Invitational.
Sheer Drama is the second choice on the morning line at 9-2 and will now break from the 13 post. The David Fawkes trainee won the Personal Ensign (G1) in her last outing.
The Todd Pletcher trained Stopchargingmaria is 5-1 on the morning line and will break from the four post with Javier Castellano in the irons.
She won the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama (G1) last year but is without a Grade 1 win this year. She has won two of her four starts, taking the DuPont Distaff (G3) at Pimlico and the Shuvee Handicap (G3) at Saratoga.
In her last start, she dueled for the early lead and weakened to finish fourth in the Personal Ensign (G1).
The Distaff is one of four Breeders’ Cup races on Friday’s card at Keeneland. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) will also be run on Friday.
Tin Type Gal, who drew the one post and was 12-1 on the morning line for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf will scratch. The filly was “not 100%” according to her trainer Graham Motion. With the defection Time and Motion (30-1) draws into the field from the also-eligible list.
First post on Friday’s 10-race card at Keeneland is 12:30 ET.
Michael Dempsey’s Breeders’ Cup Report
Michael’s Breeders’ Cup Report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for every race on the card from Keeneland on Oc. 30-31.
The Breeders’ Cup offers 12 championship races over two days, bringing together the best top horses, trainers, and jockeys from around the world, this year to compete at Keeneland.
In 2013 on Breeders’ Cup Saturday Mike nailed seven recommended exactas, paying $53.20, $19.00, $23.20, $58.00, $66.60, $107.80, and $33.60!
