Santa Anita: Beholder had throat ulcer in Santa Ynez loss

Jenny Burgos

Beholder finished second in the Santa Ynez at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Beholder, the 2012 champion juvenile filly, had an alibi for her disappointing runner-up finish as the odds-on favorite in Monday’s Grade 2 Santa Ynez at Santa Anita.

Beholder was scoped soon after the 6 1/2-furlong race and showed no signs of internal bleeding. But trainer Richard Mandella said Thursday that a more extensive subsequent examination revealed an ulcer in the back of her throat. Although the ulcer was small, it was enough to compromise her performance.

“Imagine having an ulcer, or pimple, in the back of your throat, and breathing that hard . . . it burns,” Mandella said. “The good news is it’s not that” big.

Mandella said Beholder will be treated with antibiotics, and her throat will be flushed. He does not expect the setback to affect preparation for the Grade 1, one-mile Las Virgenes on March 2.

“The timing is good, the Las Virgenes is still on our map,” he said.

Beholder won 3 of 5 last year, including the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies, and was the 1-5 favorite in the Santa Ynez. She was fully extended to get past front-runner Dawn’s Charm and was worn down from the inside by Renee’s Titan. Beholder earned a 73 Beyer Speed Figure, missing by three-quarters of a length.