Four Grade 1 wins for Idiomatic

Homebred Idiomatic, making her first run since her Breeders' Cup triumph in November, put up a dominant display to win the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs on Friday (3rd May).

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 4th May 2024, by Christina Bossinakis:

Heading up to Friday's first Graded stakes race of the day at Churchill Downs, trainer Brad Cox appeared to be oozing confidence in regard to the returning Champion Older Dirt Female Idiomatic in the Gr.1 La Troienne Stakes. In the eight and a half-furlong test for fillies and mares, the Juddmonte homebred proved that Cox's instinct had been spot on, winning by three and three-quarter lengths over Free Like a Girl in the slop.

Installed the 4-5 favorite, she argued the issue with Dorth Vader, who cut out opening splits of :23.53 and :47 as second choice Xigera and last season's Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous filled the next two spots. Assuming control approaching the far turn, Idiomatic was cut
loose turning for home, appeared to idle for a few beats but drew off late to win by the authoritative margin.

"She was the class of the field", said winning rider Florent Geroux, who has been aboard the mare in each of her last five starts. "We didn't break as fast as I anticipated...I broke a little flat-footed. I tried to get her in a good spot. I was very content to sit off the flank of the leader on the backside. Once my filly started getting into her stride, you could tell she was getting into a nice rhythm and from there she just went on. You could tell she was looking around a little bit, she gets a little distracted sometimes but she looks like she's back to her old self."

A winner in three consecutive races over Turfway's synthetic early in her four-year-old season, the homebred was second in the Gr.2 Ruffian Stakes at Belmont, but wouldn't taste defeat again in 2023, winning five races, including the Gr.1 Personal Ensign Stakes, Gr.1 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes and Gr.1I Breeders' Cup Distaff at Santa Anita.

Added Cox: "I think she runs on anything. I really do believe that. I mean, she obviously put in a good effort here today and she=s performed on synthetics, she's performed on the fast dirt obviously. But [the wet track] is always a concern. There is always a lot of pressure when they're the price she is and coming off a layout and with the resume she got being a champion. I enjoy being in the position, but the race had some anxiety behind it."