Arabella’s Muse faces Dawselina in Pegasus Distaff
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Arabella’s Muse figures to be a short price in the $75,000 Pegasus Distaff Handicap at Hastings on Monday. She could be vulnerable in the 1 1/16-mile race, which drew seven fillies and mares bred or owned in British Columbia, however.
Trained by Mike Anderson, Arabella’s Muse is coming off back-to-back wins going 1 1/16 miles in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun on June 7 and the $50,000 Monashee on July 1. In both races, she set the pace under pressure and was able to hold of Hollywood Miss in the Vancouver Sun and Locket in the Monashee.
She will have to deal with the speedy multiple stakes winner Dawselina in the Distaff, however. Last year, Dawselina got the jump on Arabella’s Muse in the B.C. Cup Dogwood and drew off to win the 1 1/16-mile race by 2 3/4 lengths.
Dawselina drew post No. 2 and likely will be gunned to the lead by jockey Pedro Alvarado on Monday.
Richard Hamel will have to decide if he wants to try to run with Dawselina or let Arabella’s Muse stalk.
“It does change things a little bit,” Anderson said. “My filly is doing really well right now, and she really doesn’t need to be on the lead to win.”
If a duel does develop, then Touching Promise or Locket look like the ones with the best chance of picking up the pieces.
KEY CONTENDERS
Arabella’s Muse (Last 3 Beyers: 73-69-74)
* She came back with two sharp works following her win in the Monashee, and if she can avoid getting into a duel with Dawselina, she could get the hat trick.
Touching Promise (71-66-54)
* She has moved forward in her last two starts and could be sitting on a big effort in her fourth start at the meet. Trained by Barbara Heads, she closed out her 2014 campaign with a win in the Grade 3 Ballerina and could get a similar trip here.
Locket (Last 3 Beyers: 71-62-61)
* She finished full of run as the runner-up in the Monashee. With Dawselina in the field, the shape of this race could work in her favor.
* Trained by Frank Barroby, she finished second to Wando Woman in this race when it was 1 1/8 miles last year.