BY BROCK SHERIDAN

John Ropes’ homebred Dorth Vader was out training at 7:00 a.m. PT at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Saturday morning as she prepares for Saturday’s $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff at the seaside oval. Exercise rider Raul Munoz galloped the 5-year-old Florida-bred mare a mile-and-three-eighths under the watchful eye of Blair Golen, assistant to trainer George Weaver. 

“Raul has been getting on her and he does a great job with her,” Golen said. “He’s happy with her. We brought her [to Del Mar] a little earlier because it’s better for her to run where she’s at. George wanted to get here as early as possible with her.”

Golen further reported that Dorth Vader is scheduled to breeze a half mile Sunday morning after the break.

Dorth Vader earned a Win and You’re In invitation into the Breeders’ Distaff on June 6 with her four-and-three-quarters-lengths victory in the Grade 1 Odgen Phipps at Saratoga Race Course. She has two starts since, finishing fourth behind winner Randomized in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park then narrowly losing to 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga on Aug. 23. Thorpedo Anna has since been retired and will not return to defend her title in this year’s Distaff.

Dorth Vader has earned $1,018,218 from five wins, three seconds and a third in 17 lifetime races. She is by Girvin out of the Yonaguska mare Hardcore Candy.

She will attempt to become the sixth Florida-bred winner of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff joining Hollywood Wildcat (1993), One Dreamer (1994), Jewel Princess (1996), Beautiful Pleasure (1999) and Ginger Punch (2007).

Return to the October 25 issue of Wire to Wire