Kopion pulls away to win the $1 million Derby City Distaff (G1)

Kopion’s powerhouse win in Saturday’s Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs gave the 4-year-old Omaha Beach filly her third straight graded stakes win in what was the toughest field she has faced in her career.

Kopion is Omaha Beach’s leading earner this year and has helped put him in the top spot on the 2025 Third-Crop Sire list, with over $3.5 million in progeny earnings.

Making her first start outside of California, the Spendthrift Farm colorbearer was several lengths off the leaders for the backstretch run. Around the bend, Kopion moved off the fence and came five-wide into the stretch to take aim on the leader Hope Road. Kopion got on even terms with a furlong to go, then pulled clear in the final sixteenth to win by three lengths in 1:21.76 on a sloppy racetrack.

“I had no concern at all (about the sloppy track),” said trainer Richard Mandella. “You know, being down in the post two, you’re worried about her getting buried. She did get off a little bit slower than I thought she would. But the jock (Kazushi Kimura) had a lot of confidence in her and he rode her that way. And the more we go, the smarter she gets. She’s starting to make it look like I know something.

“How much better can she get? Well, I hope there’s upside, but I don’t know where you get it. She’s done a lot already. But it’s nice to see her handle so smart and confident. We think she can get two turns, but I don’t know if I want to fool with it until after the Breeders’ Cup. I don’t want to break it if it ain’t broke.”

Kopion now has wins in the La Brea S. (G2), Santa Monica S. (G2) and Santa Ynez S. (G3) and is 5-1-0 in seven lifetime starts. She surpassed the million-dollar mark with Saturday’s win, now with $1,024,700.

Kopion was bred in Kentucky by Tall Oaks Farm and is a half-sister to Canadian champion Amis Gizmo.