West Point Thoroughbreds' 3-year-old filly Yolanda B. Too, who lost a narrow decision to unbeaten Nothing But Fun in the Cotillion Handicap Oct. 1, was proclaimed to be on target for the $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) by trainer Rick Violette Jr. after a workout Monday morning at Aqueduct.
"She's very fit and we just wanted to open up her wind pipes," said Violette after Yolanda B. Too breezed a half-mile in :49.4 and galloped out strongly in 1:02.
West Point founder and president Terry Finley will make the $20,000 pre-entry payment to the Distaff.Prior to the Cotillion, Yolanda B. Too was third behind In The Gold and Leave Me Alone in the grade I, $250,000 Gazelle Handicap at Belmont. For her career she has two wins, two seconds and third in five career starts for earnings of $148,400.
"We realize that this is clearly a step up in class, but Yolanda exited the Cotillion in excellent order and continues to improve each race," said Finley. "She will need to fire her best race in the Distaff, but she's done everything we have asked and certainly believe that she can be competitive with the best fillies and mares around."