b'The besT of The resTJ Tom PedullaBy Justify was hardly a one-horse show when it came to star power among 3-year-olds.Monomoy Girl displayed brilliance when she joined Ashado (2004) and Un-tapable (2014) as the only fillies to sweep the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) and the Longines Breeders Cup Distaff (G1) in the same season. She overcame the outside post in both.The gleaming chestnut daughter of Tapizar, out of the Henny Hughes mare Drumette, won six of seven starts with earnings in excess of $2.8 million for own-ers Michael Caruso, Michael Dubb, Stuart Grant, and Sol Kumin.She is a special filly, one of a kind, an unbelievable filly, said trainer Brad Cox, who grew up in the neighborhood surrounding Churchill Downs.Cox had not conditioned a grade 1 winner until Monomoy Girl came along and presented him with five such victories at four tracks. Dubb credited the superstar fillys development to Cox, saying, Every move he made was just perfect.Monomoy Girl was bred in Kentucky by Frankfort Park Farm and Highfield Ranch. She represented the first major pur-Skip dickSteinchase for bloodstock agent Liz Crow, who signed the ticket for $100,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale.Good Magic, owned by Barbara BankesMichael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables Monomoy Girl capped an Stonestreet Stable and Bob Edwards e Fiveoutstanding season with an impressive victory in the Breeders Cup Distaff.Racing Thoroughbreds, prepped for the Kentucky Derby by winning the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland. Herace meant everything to long-time owneron Jan. 1, I would have told you we were ran well enough in the Derby to bringRobert LaPenta, who said the Mid-Sum- going to win the Derby with that horse.home the roses many other years. He wasmer Derby was the race of his dreams. McKinzie was bred by Kentuckys guilty only of bad timing in placing secondI never thought the day would come,Summer Wind Farm. His Petionville mare, to Justify. He would later add an author- he said. Im so glad it did. LaPentaRunway Model, is a multiple graded stakes itative three-length victory in the betfair. owned Catholic Boy with Kumins Mada- winner. Owners Mike Pegram, Karl Wat-com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) atket Stables, Siena Farm, and Twin Creeksson, and Paul Weitman signed the ticket Monmouth Park. Racing Stables. Three Amigos when they purchased him Bred by Stonestreet ThoroughbredCatholic Boys dam, Song of Berna- for $170,000 as a yearling at Keeneland.Holdings, Good Magic reflected manydette, is by Bernardini. The grittiest of them all might have of the best qualities of his sire, two-timeMcKinzie made noise early in thebeen Bravazo, bred and owned by Calumet Horse of the Year Curlin, while flatteringseason and late. He was viewed as trainerFarm. The Awesome Again sophomore, Glinda the Good, his Hard Spun dam. HeBob Bafferts top Derby prospect until heout of the Cees Tizzy mare Tiz o Gold, was the 2-year-old champion male of 2017. injured a hind leg in March and Justifycame closest to catching Justify, missing by Catholic Boy, a More Than Ready ridg- took center stage. The Street Sense colthalf a length in the Preakness (G1). Hall ling bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrichshowed his class in emerging from a layoffof Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas saddled III and John D. Fielding, demonstratedof more than six months to win the $1him 11 times in all. The resolute youngster remarkable versatility in capturing grade 1smillion Pennsylvania Derby (G1). rewarded his connections with more than on turf (Belmont Derby) and dirt (Travers)Baffert reflected on what might have$1.1 million in purses in a testament to his for trainer Jonathan Thomas. The latterbeen when he said, If you had asked meconsistency and durability.1703_TripleCrown_use.indd 17 3/21/19 9:47 AM'