08/19/2012 6:27PM

Del Mar: Lady of Shamrock will prep once at Santa Anita before Breeders' Cup

By Steve Andersen
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Benoit & Associates
Lady of Shamrock will be pointed to the Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita on Sept. 29.

Lady of Shamrock will have one prep race before the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 2, and is likely to start in the $250,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes there on Sept. 29.

A day after Lady of Shamrock won the fifth stakes of her career in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, trainer John Sadler said he would prefer to race the filly at Santa Anita this fall as opposed to shipping to Kentucky for a race such as the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland in October.

“We would be inclined not to travel,” he said.

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The Rodeo Drive, known in the past as the Yellow Ribbon Stakes, is run over 1 1/4 miles on turf, over the same course and distance as the BC Filly and Mare Turf. Owned by Kosta Hronis, Lady of Shamrock is unbeaten in three starts, all stakes, on Santa Anita’s turf course.
 “She’s perfect on that turf course,” Sadler said. “I’m in good shape.”

Sadler has a right to be confident after Lady of Shamrock’s win in the Del Mar Oaks. Ridden by regular rider Mike Smith, Lady of Shamrock, the even-money favorite, closed from last in a field of nine to win by a half-length over Stormy Lucy.

“He put her in a three-eighths of a mile run and she went boom,” Sadler said of Lady of Shamrock’s rally.
By Scat Daddy, Lady of Shamrock has won 6 of 10 starts and $645,400.

laura ban More than 1 year ago
I'm so happy that Mike has another great girl in his life! I have read that this is the twilight of Mike Smith's career. Have you seen him? He has the body of a teenager - a really built teenager! He's better then ever, in my opinion! Only Mike can say when he's had enough. Lady Of Shamrock won't be his last champion, the future is bright for both of them!