While she returned under tack to WinStar Farm, defending Breeders’ Cup Distaff champion Monomoy Girl is doubtful for this year’s Breeders’ Cup. The two-time event champion and current Champion Older Female has been out since mid-April, recovering from muscle strains and hamstring issues.
BloodHorse reported that Monomoy Girl isn’t expected back in trainer Brad Cox’s barn for another three weeks. That essentially closes the window for an early November return, and sends Cox and company to map out a new plan.
“We’ll talk it over with (Spendthrift Farm General Manager) Ned Toffey and (owner) Eric Gustavson, and everyone else to come up with a game plan,†Cox told BloodHorse. “The Breeders’ Cup would be really tight and I don’t know if it’s a possibility, but there are some other races out there for her. There’s no pressure. She’s such an accomplished mare and has done so much, she will only run if she’s 100% right.â€
Cox dropped some interesting races as possibilities, most of which are in December or next January. He told BloodHorse the Grade 1 Cigar Mile, the Grade 1 Clark Handicap, and the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup are all potential targets. All three send the 6-year-old mare against the boys. If she ran next January’s Pegasus World Cup, Monomoy Girl would do so at 7.
This year, Monomoy Girl is 1-for-2. She won the Grade 3 Bayakoa at Oaklawn Park, then finished second a month later to Letruska in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom on the same track.