Tipsheet: 2024 Breeders’ Cup Distaff

A cast of 10 fillies and mares will go 1 1/8 miles on the main surface in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar. 

Breeders’ Cup Distaff Picks

• #2 Thorpedo Anna
• #6 Raging Sea
• #9 Awesome Result
• #1 Candied

Breeders’ Cup Distaff Wagers

• $10 trifecta key 2 with 1,6,9
• $3 trifecta 1,6,9 with 2 with 1,6,9

Breeders’ Cup Distaff Contenders

#1 CANDIED (15-1): Classy Grade 1 winner has earned top-level placings in three straight races and will run with blinkers on for the initial time on Saturday. Todd Pletcher pupil has a fine draw on the rail, combined with the presence of jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., and I view her as a major top-four contender in the field while making her local debut. 

#2 THORPEDO ANNA (4-5): Standout sophomore will attempt to put a bow on her sensational 2024 for conditioner Kenny McPeek. The soon-to-be champion is 5-for-6 this campaign, with her lone setback coming by a head bob in the Travers S. (G1) versus the boys, and she is reportedly training in fine fashion in advance of her initial try with her elders as well. Kentucky-bred daughter of Fast Anna is the clear one to beat under Brian Hernandez Jr. 

#3 BATUCADA (20-1): Union Rags four-year-old put in her best effort to date when just missing in the Beldame S. (G2) at Aqueduct for trainer Saffie Joseph. The gray is not the most consistent in training, but any improvement off of her latest makes her a viable exotics contender at a huge number. Ricardo Santana Jr. will take the reins. 

#4 ALICE VERITE (30-1): Group 3 heroine has found her best footing in 2024 and could be any kind in the affair. The Japanese import has yet to run on the dirt but she will handle this trip with ease, and the bay might be worth a flier at boxcar odds. Kyle Frey accepts the assignment. 

#5 SUGAR FISH (20-1): Jeff Mullins charge ran a superb one in the Zenyatta S. (G2) in her latest showing when registering a lifetime-best 102 Brisnet Speed number. The Accelerate sophomore has not fared well in her prior tries at Del Mar, however, so it’s difficult to have confidence in her with Tyler Baze signed on. 

#6 RAGING SEA (7-2): This underrated filly has won six of her last seven races dating back to last campaign, with five graded wins to her credit during that time. The Personal Ensign S. (G1) heroine dons a 7-5-1-0 mark at the distance, and while her late running style is not ideal for this particular affair, the daughter of Curlin rates as a major win contender, nonetheless. Flavien Prat will be aboard. 

#7 HONOR D LADY (30-1): Grade 2 vixen from the Saffie Joseph shedrow showed little in the Spinster S. (G1) at Keeneland most recently, and I don’t expect her to reverse that form enough to be a win candidate on Saturday beneath Tyler Gaffalione. 

#8 MISS NEW YORK (20-1): Multiple stakes victress has won two straight while facing lesser and takes a major class hike on this day. Jorge Delgado trainee will appreciate the move to nine panels at Del Mar, but she needs a career-best performance to make the frame in the contest under Umberto Rispoli. 

#9 AWESOME RESULT (4-1): Japanese invader brings her sterling 7-for-7 record to the race and has to be given a major chance with Yutaka Take in the silks. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Justify can run all day, and she got acclimated to her local surroundings with a five-furlong spin over the surface on Tuesday. Four-year-old filly from the Yasutoshi Ikee barn merits a lot of respect. 

#10 CHE EVASORA (30-1): Phil D’Amato trainee won a Group 1 affair at 58-1 odds in her final start in South America, and the six-year-old chestnut lost her U.S. debut by 28 lengths at Santa Anita. We will omit the mare from the outside post.