English/Ire
Scylla dominates Distaff for Juddmonte
Bill Mott’s Scylla produced a power-packed performance to run out a wide-margin winner of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Saturday.
The handler might not have been able to saddle his star three-year-old Sovereignty in the Classic, but he ensured he wouldn't leave Del Mar empty-handed as Scylla, a homebred daughter of Tapit bred by Juddmonte, scorched away from her rivals in the straight.
As red-hot favourite and expected front-runner Seismic Beauty stumbled coming out of the gates, Scylla assumed command from an early stage and although the challengers were breathing down her neck as the field prepared to turn for home, she never really looked in danger.
Junior Alvardo asked his mount for more upon entering the straight and with the minimum of fuss, she pulled readily clear from those in behind to score by an impressive widening advantage.
"I didn't know how it would go," said Mott. "She broke, she put him there and Junior (Alvarado) had the good sense not to drag her back. When you let them go the lead, there is a risk that you are going to go fast. She did but she kept going.
"I was a little worried she might come back to them. I kept watching and she turned for home and opened up two lengths. She ran a two-turn race out here last year (G1 Clement Hirsch, finished second) but she didn't get the distance last year."
When asked if it eases the pain of not having Sovereignty in Classic, he added: "A little bit. They are separate races, separate owners. We still grieve a little bit for Sovereignty's crew and the connections there. Look, as long as he is healthy and comes out of this in good shape, we will be happy."
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