Del Mar: Tribal Peace must keep focus in CTBA Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Tribal Peace won her debut at Betfair Hollywood Park by a half-length June 24, a margin that trainer John Sadler said was deceptive.

“What was a little confusing about her first race is she made the lead too soon and started fooling around,” Sadler said. “She went to the front so easily.”

For Friday’s $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar, Tribal Peace must remain focused. She has drawn the outside post in a field of seven 2-year-old California-bred fillies and will be favored.

“It’s the best post, especially with a horse that should have a little versatility,” Sadler said. “I think she can come from off of it if she needs to. We’ve had an eye on this race.”

Owned by breeders Pam and Marty Wygod, Tribal Peace is by Tribal Rule. If she makes the lead in the stretch of the 5 1/2-furlong CTBA Stakes and starts loafing, she could face a test from Akiss Forarose, who won a maiden race over five furlongs June 2.

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Akiss Forarose is trained by Gary Sherlock. A closer, Akiss Forarose drew the rail. Sherlock also starts Awe’ Some Kitten, who is likely to contribute to the pace.

“We’ve got one to go to the front and one to come from behind,” Sherlock said.

Akiss Forarose drew the rail in the CTBA Stakes, which is not a major concern since the filly does not show speed.

“We’ll take a hold of her,” Sherlock said.

The increase in distance for the CTBA Stakes will work to her advantage.

“She galloped out about 10 in front,” Sherlock said of her maiden race win. “The distance will help her. I can’t wait to go longer with her.”

Awe’ Some Kitten won her second start, which came in a maiden race over 4 1/2 furlongs at Hollywood Park on May 17. She followed that race with a tiring fifth in the Cinderella last month at Hollywood. Sherlock dismissed the loss in the Cinderella after the filly was found to be ill after the race.

“She didn’t run well, but she had a lot of mucus after the race,” he said. “I’m hoping that’s her excuse. She’s better than that.”

The field includes two other runners from the Cinderella, Tilde and Awe Golly Molly, who were third and fourth.

Jilly Baylee, winner of a maiden claimer June 7, and Cotton’s Point, a maiden after two starts, are the other runners.