Given the consistent rainfall on Wednesday morning and the expectation of similar weather conditions for the next couple of days, trainer Ignacio Correas IV was faced with a straightforward question.
What is Didia's approach when it comes to a soft turf course?
It's a mystery. According to Correas, Didia, a 6-year-old daughter of Orpen, has never tested her mettle on a soft track. Yet, she's expected to be a strong contender in the Grade 1 $600,000 Jenny Wiley race, set to unfold over the one 1/16-mile Keeneland turf course on Saturday.
Didia was brought to Correas' barn in the spring of 2022, having achieved impressive success with two dominant wins in Group 1 races in Argentina. This talented horse is jointly owned by Merriebelle Stable and Resolute Racing. During the past two years, Didia has showcased her timed works primarily at Keeneland, with only two exceptions: one at Santa Anita last fall prior to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and another at Gulfstream Park before the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational (G2).
Didia boasts an enviable record in North America, with eight wins, six second-place finishes, and one third-place finish. Her only blemishes were in Grade 1 races, with her lowest performance being 10th place in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in November.
Didia kicked off her 2024 campaign with a close win as the frontrunner in a crowded field of 11 in the Pegasus on January 27th. Jose Ortiz will be riding on Saturday, marking his first time aboard.