'She Always Seems To Find More': Champion Idiomatic Powers Home On Top In La Troienne

Juddmonte homebred Idiomatic, last year's Champion Older Dirt Female, launched her 2024 season with a resounding victory in Friday's Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill Downs, bounding over the sloppy track to complete 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.24. Sent to post as the 4-5 favorite in a field scratched down to five, Idiomatic and Florent Geroux did not make the lead early, but the pair repelled all challengers to record the mare's sixth straight win on the racetrack.

Idiomatic won the 2023 editions of the G1 Personal Ensign, G1 Spinster, and G1 Breeders' Cup Distaff en route to the Eclipse Award. The 5-year-old daughter of Curlin has now won 10 of her 13 lifetime starts, earning north of $3 million.

"She's been training like she was ready to run a big race," trainer Brad Cox said. "I didn't think it was an ideal trip, but she hit a different gear the eighth pole; she always seems to find more.

"Hopefully this is the start to a big year for her."

Idiomatic was a bit slow out of the gate, breaking from the second spot off the rail, and wound up second early behind Dorth Vader. Geroux kept his spot on the inside, just three-quarters of a length behind Dorth Vader, through fractions of 23.53 and 47.00 seconds. 

When Geroux gave Idiomatic a bit of rein at the half-mile pole, she ranged up to even terms with Dorth Vader with ease. Behind the leading pair, second-choice and last year's Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous angled out three-wide to make her bid, while Louisiana-bred millionaire Free Like A Girl made a bold move to find room at the rail.

Turning for home, Idiomatic had the advantage but was challenged on the inside by a very game Free Like A Girl. Geroux asked Idiomatic for a bit more, and the champion repelled her rival and cruised away toward the wire, winning by )) lengths. Free Like A Girl ran a good second, while Pretty Mischievous settled for third. Dorth Vader finished fourth, and Xigera wrapped up the field in fifth.