Abel Tasman is used to finishing near the front.
The three-year-old filly who triumphed in the Kentucky Oaks in May has finished first or second in each of her last nine starts dating back to September of 2016. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Abel Tasman won three Grade-1 races in a row earlier this year then finished second in her first race back off a two-month layoff in September.
Purchased for just $65,000 in 2015, Abel Tasman has earned $1.6 million and is entered in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Distaff on Friday. She'll have to contend with other top fillies and mares, including Elate, Stellar Wind and Paradise Woods. Check out the full list of entries for the Distaff at http://www.breederscup.com/entries/126.
Post time is 7:35 p.m. EDT for the race, which will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network. With a purse of $2 million, the Distaff is the richest race of Friday's four Breeders' Cup races. The Breeders' Cup will continue with 10 races on Saturday, including the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
Check back with www.bourbonandbarns.com/blog throughout Breeders' Cup weekend for more information.
Abel Tasman
Sire: Quality Road
Dam: Vargas Girl (by Deputy Minister)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Breeder: Clearsky Farms (Lexington, KY)
Auction: $65,000 (Keeneland September Sale 2015)
Racing Highlights: Kentucky Oaks (Churchill), Acorn Stakes (Belmont), Coaching Club American Oaks (Saratoga)
Race to Watch: Breeders' Cup Distaff