This is our first look at the $2 million 2022 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) contenders for 2022 at Keeneland on November 5.
A competitive field will line up to go 1 1/8 miles led by the Todd Pletcher trained Nest who has won her last three starts by a combined 26 lengths. She won the Beldame (G2) at Aqueduct in her last outing, her first start against older fillies and mares.
Pletcher has won the Distaff twice, with Stopchargingmaria in 2015 and Ashado in 2004. Three-year-old fillies have fared well in the Distaff, winning the race four times in the last 11 years.
The five-year-old mare Marche Lorraine from Japan pulled off the huge upset in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar, returning her backers $101.80 for a $2 wager. It was the second biggest upset in the history of the Distaff, topped only by Spain in 2000, who returned $113.80 to win.
Nest will have her hands full as there is a deep field that includes Grade 1 winners Clairiere, Malathaat, Society, Blue Stripe, Secret Oath and Search Results.
2022 Top 5 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Contenders
The stablemate of Nest may vie for favoritism. Malathaat has won three of her five starts this year, taking the Spinster (G1) over the Keeneland main track in her last outing on Oct. 9. She made a good late run to finish third in last year’s running of the Distaff.
Society has jumped into the mix after the three-year-old filly won her last two starts. She won the Charles Town Oaks (G3) on August 26 and then earned a career top speed figure with an impressive score in the Cotillion (G1) at Parx Racing. She will face older for the first time in the Distaff for her trainer Steve Asmussen.
Asmussen has one win in the Distaff, saddling Untapable who won the 2014 edition.
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