Merriebelle Stable and Resolute Racing's grade/group 1-winning turf mare Didia, who was being pointed to a title defense in the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) next month, will not make that event.
After months of trying to acquire her, Resolute's John Stewart bought into Didia following her popular neck victory over longshot Surprisingly in the Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park. It was the third North American graded triumph for Didia following the 2023 Rodeo Drive (G2T) and Modesty (G3T) stakes.
"Unfortunately she had surgery earlier this week and we are waiting for her to recover before we make any decisions on her retirement," Stewart said.
A dual grade 1 winner in her native Argentina, the Ignacio Correas IV trainee later added a North American grade 1 in the June 7 New York Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. She ran three more times this year, capped by a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar.
She was beaten just a half-length by victorious Moira, nosed out for the place by Cinderella's Dream. All of the top finishers will likely receive consideration for an Eclipse Award.
Didia had four timed works at Keeneland following the Breeders' Cup, most recently going four furlongs in :50 2/5 Dec. 19 on the all-weather training track. She currently has a record of 11-2-2 and $1,758,484 in purse earnings from 20 starts, the first seven coming in Argentina.
One possibility to fill the void is Resolute Racing's Tutta La Vita, a three-time group 1-placed mare in her native Australia that is entered to make her North American debut in the Dec. 28 opener at Gulfstream, an allowance optional claimer for fillies and mares 3 and up scheduled for one mile on the turf.
"It's very exciting. She's training very well. It's her first time in America and we hope she runs a good race," Correas said. "She's done well since she's been here; if not, we would have waited longer. We're looking forward to her running."
CORRECTION: This story has been updated; an earlier version of this story incorrectly said that Didia had been retired.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
