Splendora Takes On Ways and Means in Derby City Distaff

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert sends out his reigning Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) winner Splendora in the $1 million Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) May 2 at Churchill Downs. The 5-year-old daughter of Audible is looking to extend her win streak to six in a row. She has yet to lose this year, taking both the D. Wayne Lukas Stakes (G2) and the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. Before winning her first graded race in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, she was victorious in the 2025 Tranquility Lake Stakes. The Derby City Distaff is run at 7 furlongs, the same distance as her Breeders' Cup and Lukas victories. Owned by Boyd Racing and By Talla Racing, Splendora is the 2-1 morning-line second choice. Baffert also sends out Usha, who at odds of 9-2 is looking for her second grade 1 in a row after taking the La Brea Stakes (G1) Dec. 28. Splendora's biggest threat comes from the Chad Brown trainee Ways and Means. The daughter of Practical Joke comes in off a lengthy layoff, having not run since the Bed o' Roses Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course last June. In that effort, she defeated eventual Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Scylla by 7 3/4 lengths. After that dominant victory, she was pointed to the Ballerina Stakes (G1) but fell ill. After getting sick for the second time in August, her connections opted to give her some rest and get her ready for the 2026 campaign. A homebred for Klaravich Stables, she was third in last year's edition of the Derby City Distaff behind California invaders Kopion and Hope Road. In her first start after an 11-month layoff, she is the 8-5 morning-line favorite. The field of six for the Derby City Distaff could be cut down to five by post time. Saffie Joseph Jr.'s Haulin Ice is entered in both the Derby City Distaff and in the May 1 Unbridled Sidney Stakes (G2T) on turf, also at Churchill Downs. The daughter of Coal Front is the first Arkansas-bred millionaire, with earnings of more than $1.2 million. Owned by C2 Racing Stable, WSS Racing, and Agave Racing Stable, the connections have been planning a turf start, but are keeping their options for Derby weekend open. "She's so versatile," said Mark Cornett of C2 Racing. "The opportunities are pretty meaningful on the grass." She is one of two entered in the race for Joseph, who also has Averill Racing and ATM Racing's R Disaster, winner of the Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) and third last out in the Madison Stakes (G1).