Round Pond Wins Injury-Marred Distaff

The Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) epitomized the highs and lows of the sport. Round Pond won the 1 1/8-mile race, but co-favorites Pine Island and Fleet Indian suffered injuries.

Pine Island suffered a dislocation of the left front fetlock as the field entered the backstretch. The Phipps family homebred was taken away in the horse ambulance and was euthanized due to a dislocation of the left front fetlock. Fleet Indian, who races for Paul Saylor, was pulled up after suffering an injury to her suspensories. Dr. Wayne McIlwraith said she "suffered injuries to both suspensory branches in the left front. She is in a Kinzie splint; there is no fracture."

Fleet Indian was scheduled to be sold at Keeneland on Monday but Saylor said she would be scratched from the auction.

In addition to the injuries, jockey Corey Nakatani, who was aboard Balletto, lodged an objection against jockey Julien Leparoux and Asi Siempre, who finished second. After a review by the stewards, Happy Ticket was moved from third second and Balletto was moved up to third. Asi Siempore was placed fourth.

Round Pond, by Awesome Again  , returned $29.80, $14, and $9. Happy Ticket paid $14.20 and $9.20. Balletto paid $5.60. The exacta returned $446, while the trifecta paid $4,335.40.

Under jockey Edgar Prado, Round Pond registered a 4 ¼-length win, completing the distance in 1:50.50.

Healthy Addiction set a quick early pace, getting a quarter-mile in :22.91 before leading the field through a half in :46.75. Pool Land overtook the leader at the three-quarter pole, while Round Pond was content to set just off the pace.

Prado began to move Round Pond to the front as the field entered the stretch before drawing off for the win on the rail.

Round Pond was bred in Kentucky by John Toffan and Trudy McCaffery. She is out of the Trempolino mare Gift of Dance. She races for Rick Porter and is trained by Michael Matz.