Amandine makes easy work of Lady of Shamrock Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - In her two races since arriving from England in the fall, both wins at one mile, Amandine has run about a half-mile.

In each start, an optional claimer at Del Mar on Nov. 22 and Wednesday’s $79,685 Lady of Shamrock Stakes at Santa Anita, Amandine has comfortably stalked the pace to the quarter pole before unleashing a rally that easily carried her to the front.

Amandine won the optional claimer by 3 1/4 lengths. She won the Lady of Shamrock Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths over even-money favorite Ms Bad Behavior. Amandine paid $5.60 and was timed in 1:35.10 in the turf race. She earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 93.

“She’s got a little steam at the end,” trainer Jeff Mullins said.

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Owned by Red Barons Barn, Rancho Temescal, and Shanderella Sables, Amandine is entered in Saturday’s Grade 1 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on turf, but Mullins said a decision will be made later this week on whether she will run.

In the Lady of Shamrock, Amandine was confidently ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, who kept the British-bred filly on the rail, stalking Ms Bad Behavior through early fractions of 23.40 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.67 for a half-mile.

Van Dyke moved Amandine between runners on the turn when space developed and quickly closed the gap on Ms Bad Behavior. Amandine trailed by a half-length with a furlong to go.

“My main concern was find the best horse to follow,” Van Dyke said.

“I think she’s a special filly."

Standella Road, a 50-1 outsider, finished third, followed by Love and Peace, Streak of Luck, X S Gold, West Palm Beach, and Animosity.

Amandine, by Shamardal, has won 3 of 13 starts and earned $109,584. In England, Amandine had 1 win in 11 starts. She was bought privately in the fall.