A vacant throne

The distaff division took a huge blow in the form the recent retirement of Belmont Stakes heroine Rags to Riches, who re-aggravated an old injury while working for a return to the races. However, even without her presence the division is set for an all-star cast this year of some very exciting and talented fillies and mares.

Who: Ginger Punch
Why She’s Noteworthy: The Champion Older Mare and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner of 2007 fired a bullet recently while working in company with Bobby Frankel's sophomore star Country Star. Her only outing this year was an unchallenged, one-sided victory in the restricted Sunshine Millions Distaff.
Where to See Her Next: In the April 5th Apple Blossom (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park.

Who: Magnificience
Why She’s Noteworthy: The comebacker made two lifetime starts last spring caused a sensation, has been working up a freak storm at Santa Anita in recent weeks. After blitzing a bullet five furlongs in 0:58 flat on the 17th, she came back yesterday morning to run another near-bullet, clocking the same distance in 0:58.60.
Where to See Her Next: Likely to return in a stakes at Hollywood Park.

Who: Zenyatta
Why She’s Noteworthy: The undefeated filly has vanquished her foes convincingly in all three of her starts, including an easy score in the El Encino (gr. II). An unspecified injury caused her to miss a date in the Santa Margarita (gr. I) with Nashoba's Key but she is presently back on the worktab.
Where to See Her Next: Hollywood Park meeting

Who: Nashoba's Key
Why She’s Noteworthy: A formidable competitor in her own right, the recent Santa Margarita (gr. I) winner has won five graded stakes on both turf and synthetic surfaces. The Santa Margarita was her first start with Garrett Gomez back aboard following a questionable ride by former pilot Joe Talamo on Sunshine Millions Day.
Where to See Her Next: Currently resting, she is likely to resurface at the Del Mar meet.

Who: Eight Belles
Why She’s Noteworthy: She’s easily routed her members of her own sex in two races at Oaklawn, including her last in which she ran 1-1/16 miles just as quickly as the colt Sierra Sunset who won the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at that distance later in the day.
Where to See Her Next: Eight Belles is likely to run next in the Fantasy (gr. II) versus fillies, though she has been nominated to the Arkansas Derby (gr. II).

Who: Country Star
Why She’s Noteworthy: Her two tallies last fall in the Alcibiades and Hollywood Starlet (both gr. I) had some folks talking Kentucky Derby. Jockey Robby Albarado recently gave up the mount on Derby hopeful Denis of Cork to maintain the ride on the blue-blooded filly, and she just fired a bullet working in company with the aforementioned Ginger Punch.
Where to See Her Next: In the Ashland (gr. I) at Keeneland on April 5th.

Who: Hystericalady
Why She’s Noteworthy: Hard-knocking California-based mare gave Ginger Punch a run for her money in last fall’s Distaff. Still had a very productive last season despite running over synthetic surfaces she is not crazy about; look for her to improve this year if she makes most of her starts on conventional dirt tracks.
Where to See Her Next: Hystericalady will try to turn the tables on Ginger Punch in the Apple Blossom on April 5th.