British Idiom Skewers Alcibiades

LEXINGTON, KY – Trainer Brad Cox’s decision to have British Idiom skip last month’s Pocahontas Stakes (G2) paid off beautifully on Friday when she skewered her competition in the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.

The Alcibiades is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with British Idiom receiving an automatic berth in the Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita Park this November.

Breaking from post 6 under Javier Castellano at 7/2 odds, British Idiom found herself sandwiched between Gone Glimmering and Sequin heading into the first turn, just behind early leader Spitefulness. The pacesetter posted fractions of :23.73 and :47.27 before Sequin took over partly through the far turn.

Sequin’s lead was short-lived, however, as British Idiom and Castellano soon swept around her outside. At the 1/4 pole, British Idiom was on the lead and soon tore off sharply.

Continuing to draw away with every step, British Idiom hit the wire 6 1/2 lengths clear in a final time of 1:45.80 for the 1 1/16-mile event over the fast main track.

“She broke good and got good position,” Castellano said. “She pulled a little bit, but I liked the way she did it on the backside. She relaxed, kept tracking the horses, and I liked the way she finished. She’s a good filly. She’s improved and stepped up in class. Credit to Mr. Brad on the way he trained her. Made me look good today.”

While no match for the winner, Perfect Alibi proved to be second-best by 3 lengths over the 2/1 favorite Alandra, who was bumped and bothered at the start and had to rally from 10th for third. Gone Glimmering held fourth late by a 1/2-length over a fading Sequin, while behind her came Three D Flag, a spent Spitefulness, How Ironic, Micheline, Western Taffy, and Heir of Light to complete the order of finish.

British Idiom’s win was her second in as many starts, having broken her maiden on debut going 6 furlongs at Saratoga. The daughter of Flashback, purchased for $40,000 last October, has now earned $281,250 for an ownership group consisting of Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables.

“She’s a real laid-back filly,” Cox said. “She’s a really nice filly that’s full of class. She never gets worked up. She does whatever you want in the mornings. She’s a good-sized filly, too, and obviously capable of getting around two turns. As long as she comes out of this in good shape, we’ll look at California (and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies).”

British Idiom returned $9.20 to win, $4.40 to place, and $3.20 to show. Perfect Alibi brought back $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show, while Alandra paid $2.60 to show.