R Disaster proves much the best in the 2026 Derby City Distaff (G1) - Coady Media

R Disaster’s front-running win in the $1 million Derby City Distaff (G1) Saturday at Churchill Downs marked the first Grade 1 win for her sire Awesome Slew.

Facing the likes of Splendora, Ways and Means, and Usha, R Disaster and jockey Tyler Gafflione were the quickest of all out of the gate, opening up by more than a length immediately. She cruised through fractions of :22.77 and :45.05, with Splendora a half-length behind at that point. Turning for home, R Disaster shook off her challengers and opened up a two-length margin a furlong from home. She coasted in from there to win by 2 ¼-lengths in 1:20.94 for the seven furlongs on a fast track.

The time was a half-second off the track record and was good for a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 103.

“She ran her race last time in the Madison (GI, at Keeneland). The pace was extremely fast last time – faster than we would have liked. We didn’t originally intend to come back in this race, but she bounced out of her last work very well. So, we decided to enter and see what happens. We knew there were some Grade I-caliber fillies in this race but she was doing so well. Tyler gave her the perfect ride today.”

R Disaster is an excellent 9-6-1 in 16 starts, and with earnings of $1,327,015, became racing’s newest millionaire. She is owned by Averill Racing, LLC and ATM Racing and was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud & J. Michael O'Farrell Jr.

R Disaster is out of Making Havoc, who is a half-sister to four-time stakes winner R Adios Jersey.