Distance
1 1/8 miles
Surface
Dirt
Eligibility
3yo+
Grade
G1
Track
Rotates (host track)
Location
Site varies
When
Friday of Breeders' Cup weekend
About the race
The championship race for older fillies and mares on dirt — the female counterpart to the Classic.
Race history
First run in 1984 (as the Distaff). The race produces Female Horse of the Year contenders and the divisional Eclipse winners for Older Female. Champion mares like Zenyatta, Beholder, and Songbird have made the Distaff a marquee race.
Betting trends
What sharps watch for
- 01
Fillies + mares 4yo+ dominate over the 3yo step-up class.
- 02
Closers do well on the 1 1/8 mile distance with the long Friday-evening run-up to the first turn.
- 03
Trainer dominance: Bob Baffert + Todd Pletcher + Chad Brown have multiple wins in the modern era.
Recent winners
Last 4 editions
| Year | Winner | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Thorpedo Anna | — |
| 2023 | Idiomatic | — |
| 2022 | Malathaat | — |
| 2021 | Marche Lorraine | 49-1 |
Where to bet the BC Distaff
US pari-mutuel wagering happens through licensed operators. TVG (FanDuel-owned) and TwinSpires (Churchill Downs) are the two largest dedicated US racing platforms; both ship win/place/show plus the full exotic ladder (exacta, trifecta, superfecta, daily double, Pick 3/4/6) at the Rotates (host track) meeting.
Other Breeders' Cup
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