At age four, Abel Tasman finished fourth in her first start of the year in the La Troienne Stakes, then rebounded to win the Ogden Phipps and Personal Ensign.

Abel Tasman was bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms, established in 2008 by Eamon Cleary and now owned by his sons, Bernard and Eamonn.

[3] Vargas Girl died from complications while foaling Abel Tasman and the filly had to be resuscitated and then raised by a nurse mare.

[4] Abel Tasman was sired by Quality Road, whose most important wins included the Florida Derby, Donn Handicap and Woodward Stakes.

[4] Abel Tasman was offered at the September 2015 Keeneland Sales but the final bid of $65,000 did not meet her reserve and she was bought back.

"I hope they breed her to American Pharoah," he said, referring to the Triple Crown winner he had also trained, "(but the foal) would probably be so nice, it wouldn't want to run.

[1] For her final start of the year, Abel Tasman was entered for a supplementary fee of $10,000 in the Grade I Starlet Stakes at Santa Anita over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles.

Heavy favorite Unique Bella, considered one of the top fillies in training, went to the early lead and set comfortable fractions.

"[11] Shortly after the race, it was announced that Abel Tasman would be moved from Callaghan's care to the barn of Bob Baffert.

Because of an injury to Unique Bella that kept her out of the race, Abel Tasman became the heavy favorite under new jockey Mike Smith.

"[13] Abel Tasman was the fourth betting choice in the Kentucky Oaks, held on May 5 at Churchill Downs over a sloppy (sealed) track.

The front runners, who were also the top betting choices, set rapid opening fractions, especially considering the track conditions.

Meanwhile, Abel Tasman broke poorly and was last in the field of fourteen as they headed into the first turn, though she had good position near the rail.

[6] Asked about the change of trainers in March, the racing manager of China Horse Club stated, "We won't comment on it.

Smith found an opening on the rail as they rounded into the stretch and Abel Tasman quickly took charge, then held off the challenge of Salty on the outside.

[17] On July 23, Abel Tasman was entered in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga, run at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles.

She broke poorly and settled near the back of the field of seven, but was urged to the lead down the backstretch when the pace slowed.

She continued to duel with Lockdown for the lead as they entered the stretch, but meanwhile It Tiz Well mounted a strong move in the middle of the track and pulled ahead.

"[19] On November 3, Abel Tasman made her final start of the year in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, where she faced older horses for the first time.

The favorite was Elate, who had won the Alabama and Beldame Stakes after finishing second to Abel Tasman in the Coaching Club American Oaks.

The older horse division was led by champion Stellar Wind (Apple Blossom, Beholder Mile, Clement L. Hirsch) and Forever Unbridled (Fleur de Lis, Personal Ensign).

[20] Abel Tasman trailed the field for the first half mile, then swung wide around the final turn and started to close ground rapidly.

However, Forever Unbridled had made an earlier move to hit the lead and was able to hold off Abel Tasman by half a length.

Baffert did not rush her return as he planned to focus her campaign on the second half of the season and another chance at the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

She made her four-year-old debut in the La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2018, a year after her biggest win in the Kentucky Oaks.

[23] Abel Tasman made her next start in the Ogden Phipps Stakes on June 5 at Belmont Park, the same day Baffert would win the American Triple Crown with Justify.

Her main rival was Elate, the filly she had defeated the year before in the Coaching Club American Oaks after surviving a stewards' inquiry.