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British Idiom Could Return In February

Author: Don Mckee
Published: Thursday January 02, 2020
The undefeated British Idiom worked on Dec. 29 in what was her first since taking a victory by a neck in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita Park. The daughter of Flashback is expected to be named Eclipse Award champion 2-year-old filly.

British Idiom is trained by Brad Cox, and she breezed through three furlongs on the dirt at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. She completed the move in :37 3/5. 

Bloodstock agent Liz Crow played a big role in purchasing the filly for $40,000 from the Warrendale Sales' consignment to last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Yearling Sale. 

"She's doing great," said Crow. "We gave her a little time off post-Breeders' Cup, but she never left Brad's care. She tack-walked for a little bit and then got back to galloping. That was obviously her first breeze back." 

British Idiom's Season

British Idiom is owned in partnership by Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, Madakt Stables, and Bethlehem Stables. She broke her maiden Aug. 15 at Saratoga Race Course by 3 1/2 lengths before going on to win the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. 

With the victory, the filly earned an automatic berth in the Juvenile Fillies. There, she was able to keep a winning streak after going up against Donna Veloce. 

Crow, along with Cox, was part of the team involved with Monomoy Girl, the 3-year-old champion filly. 

"The plan right now is probably the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) in February," said Crow. "That's not necessarily set in stone, but that's probably the race that we will target for her. The plan leaving the Breeders' Cup was the Rachel Alexandra — that's what we did with Monomoy Girl. 

"The long stretch at Fair Grounds I think she should probably like. I think the distance will be her friend. She seems to be able to go all day, and I look forward to continue seeing her run two turns." 

Monomoy Girl

Monomoy Girl was absent from racing in 2019 after she suffered a bout of colic, as well as other issues. According to Crow, the filly is in good health, and she hopes to see her make an impressive 2020 return. 

"Monomoy Girl is at Paul Sharp's farm," Crow said. "She's galloping and very forward in her training. We're just trying to keep her feet on the ground right now. She's supposed to leave Jan. 15 to go back to Brad. 

"Honestly, she could go now. She's been ready to go, but we figured that would be exactly 60 days of training on the farm, and that would be the best thing to do before she went back to Brad. 

"She didn't get a lot of time off from pulling a hamstring, so it's not like she lost much fitness. We're not going to push her or set a schedule of races that we're pointing toward or anything, we just want to get her back, and hopefully we can do that. In 2020, if all we can do is get her back to the races, then I will be very happy."

Monomoy Girl's Palace Malice half-brother, Mr. Monomoy, will look to make it into the spring classics after stepping up in company. Owned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, and Doheny Racing Stable, Mr. Monomoy took his maiden win Nov. 16 on second asking at Churchill Downs. 

After that, he finished second in a Dec. 21 allowance-optional claiming race at Fair Grounds where he was defeated. 

"Mr. Monomoy came out of his race good. We will probably look at a stakes next and try him in a little deeper company and see how he does," Crow said. "I don't think he had any excuses in that last race. He just got beat and that happens. 

"I think he had a good trip, but we will see if he's a graded stakes level horse when we try him in some of these early (Kentucky) Derby (Presented by Woodford Reserve, G1) prep races probably down at Fair Grounds too. There is no reason to ship him out of there."