Amada Rafaela set for coming-out party in allowance

ARCADIA, Calif. – Far from the national spotlight of Saturday’s Belmont Stakes program and a bid for the Triple Crown with Justify, trainer Bob Baffert’s stable will start the exciting Amada Rafaela on Thursday at Santa Anita.

Amada Rafaela, who earned a 97 Beyer in a first-out victory, has shown such promise that she could be in the national conversation within a few months. She will be heavily favored to win an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

“I think she’s pretty special,” Baffert said over the weekend. “We’re excited about her.”

Owned by breeder Three Chimneys Farm, Amada Rafaela is part of a field of six in Thursday’s seventh race.

Four of her rivals have started in stakes, including Kimberlea K, who won the Everett Nevin Stakes for California-breds last July at Pleasanton, and Newport Breeze, who was second in the Seeking the Ante Stakes for New York-breds last August at Saratoga.

KEY CONTENDERS

Amada Rafaela, by Distorted Humor

Beyer: 97

◗ Amada Rafaela won at 7-10 in her debut in a six-furlong maiden race May 5. Ridden by Martin Garcia, Amada Rafaela was third for the first quarter-mile and took the lead on the turn before drawing off to win by 8 1/4 lengths. Garcia retains the mount.

“We were high on her before her first start,” Baffert said.

◗ Amada Rafaela has had three workouts since her win, including six furlongs in 1:12.20 last Friday.

“She’s come back and worked really well,” Baffert said. “After this, it will be all stakes.”

◗ Amada Rafaela is out of Dust and Diamonds, who won three stakes in 2012 when trained by Steve Asmussen and later by Todd Pletcher. Dust and Diamonds was second to Groupie Doll in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita.

Kimberlea K, by Indian Evening

Last 3 Beyers: 66-67-57

◗ Kimberlea K has not raced since finishing second in the CTBA Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs for statebred 2-year-old fillies last August at Del Mar. She has worked steadily for her return, with five six-furlong workouts at Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita since late April. On Sunday, Kimberlea K worked a half-mile from the gate in 46.60 seconds at Santa Anita.

“She had a nice gate work,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

◗ Even with the quick workout, Hollendorfer has tempered expectations for Thursday’s race.

“Bob has a tough one in there, and we hope to run well,” he said.

Newport Breeze, by Majestic Warrior

Last 3 Beyers: 62-46-59

◗ Newport Breeze raced in California last summer, winning her second start in a maiden race for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs in July at Del Mar. Trained by Peter Eurton, Newport Breeze ran in four stakes in New York from August to November last year. The second in the Seeking the Ante was her best result.