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Idiomatic, Pretty Mischievous on Course to Meet May 3

The distaff ranks have made a habit of spoiling the Thoroughbred racing landscape, blessing fans with champions who have remained in training beyond their sophomore seasons and who, by extension, establish rivalries that flourish at the highest level.

When the $1 million La Troienne Stakes (G1) goes to post at Churchill Downs May 3, another example of the division’s enduring quality is set to be highlighted on a day that, fittingly, is a showcase for the sport’s top female runners.

Juddmonte homebred Idiomatic , the reigning champion older dirt female, and Godolphin’s Pretty Mischievous , who earned the 2023 Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old filly, are at this early stage on course to collide for the first time in the 1 1/16-miles test for older fillies on the undercard of the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Brendan Walsh, trainer of Pretty Mischievous, stated April 3 that the daughter of Into Mischief   was targeting the La Troienne for her seasonal bow, while Juddmonte manager Garrett O’Rourke also confirmed to BloodHorse that the same target is circled for Idiomatic’s 5-year-old debut.

“You know, there is no ducking,” O’Rourke said. When they put the money up, and it’s a grade 1, that’s what you expect. That’s what the tracks want, and that’s what the fans want. As owners, you’re always looking for an allowance-caliber race and a grade 1 pot, but it never happens that way.”

A clash of champions is something that has been a regular occurrence in recent years within the older female division. The 2021 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) featured a meeting between 2020 champion 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver  and older dirt female Eclipse Award victress Monomoy Girl . Both were beaten that day by Letruska , who would go on to earn older dirt female honors that season and return in 2022 to defend her Apple Blossom title.

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Malathaat—the champion sophomore filly of 2021—also remained in training in 2022 and finished ahead of  Letruska all three times they met, including victories in that year’s Personal Ensign (G1) and Spinster Stakes (G1).

A first meeting between Idiomatic and Pretty Mischievous was set to happen in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) last November at Santa Anita Park, but the latter was scratched when her connections determined she was not 100% heading into the race. Idiomatic would go on to cement her standing as the queen of the older ranks, notching a half-length victory that day to cap off a season that saw her win eight of nine starts.

Pretty Mischievous with Tyler Gaffalione wins the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky on May 5, 2023
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Pretty Mischievous beneath jockey Tyler Gaffalione after her win in the 2023 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs

In addition to earning divisional honors, Idiomatic was also a finalist for Horse of the Year along with eventual winner Cody’s Wish   and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) hero White Abarrio . Considering the daughter of Curlin   began her 2023 season in the allowance optional claiming ranks at Turfway Park, her ascent to the top of her class has been as impressive as her 17-plus hand frame.

“If we thought she was going to be a Breeders’ Cup winner in November, I don’t think we would have been giving her the program in December, January, February, March, April that we gave her,” O’Rourke said. “She just kept moving up to the next division. We didn’t think we’d be fighting for the title, but she just kept on winning.”

While the Brad Cox trainee won’t have as abundant a campaign this year in terms of the number of starts, Idiomatic’s 2024 season figures to be especially demanding since she will likely face nothing but top-level challengers taking aim at the monstrous target on her back. 

“All of the filly and mare grade 1s will be possibilities from there (after the La Troienne),” O’Rourke said. “And hopefully we’ll be able to show up for most of them.”

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