LOUISVILLE, Ky.– Heider Family Stables’ Zofelle (IRE), who came up a nose short of My Racehorse CA and Spendthrift Farm’s Got Stormy in their last meeting, will try to avenge that loss in the 36th running of the $500,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (GII) on Saturday.
Neither mare has raced since they faced off at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 27 in the Honey Fox (GIII). At the wire, Got Stormy was a nose in front of Zofelle, with Feel Glorious close behind.
“She’s been doing great this year,” said trainer Brendan Walsh of Zofelle, who will start from the No. 4 post position with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. “She was unlucky last time, to get nosed out by Got Stormy. I don’t think there’s much between them.”
On the morning line for the field of seven fillies and mares, little separates Got Stormy, the 8-5 favorite trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, with Zofelle the 2-1 second choice.
“Hopefully we’ll get a good trip this time,” Walsh said, “and if we do, I think she’ll be right there again.”
Got Stormy has accumulated more than $2 million in earnings, with victories in 11 of 27 starts, including 6 in Grade I stakes. Zofelle has a 5-3-2 record from 16 starts, with earnings of more than $250,000.
Also coming out of the Honey Fox is Three Diamonds Farm’s Jakarta, who led most of the way before fading to fourth. This time, the Mike Maker trainee drew the No. 1 post and will have the services of jockey Luis Saez. She’s a 10-1 morning line choice.
The Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile is carded as the sixth race on Derby Day, with a 1:14 p.m. post time.
The field for the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, with riders and weights from the rail out, is:
1. Jakarta (Luis Saez, 118 pounds)
2. She’s Got You (GB) (Javier Castellano, 118)
3. New York Girl (IRE) (John Velazquez, 118)
4. Zofelle (IRE) (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118)
5. Got Stormy (Tyler Gaffalione, 118)
6. Blowout (GB) (Flavien Prat, 118)
7. Abscond (Joel Rosario, 118)
Churchill Downs Press Release
Photo: Got Stormy (on the rail) edges out Zofelle to win the 2021 Honey Fox at Gulfstream Park in February. (Coglianese)
