Asian Adventure tops Mid-Peninsula

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Asian Adventure, winner of the rich California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar, is the one to beat in a field of six 2-year-old California-bred fillies in the $50,000 Mid-Peninsula Stakes at Bay Meadows Sunday.

Asian Adventure has run no worse than third in four career starts. She won her debut in a $40,000 maiden claiming race, finished third in the Nursery and second in the Cinderella, and then won the CTBA.

In the CTBA, she raced second most of the way behind the 40-1 Martial's Princess, took over the lead in deep stretch, and pulled away to win by 1 1/2 lengths. She earned a 67 Beyer Speed Figure, but that Beyer is the top last-race figure in Sunday's field. Her task last time was made easier when the 3-5 Fancy Prancer faded to last with no apparent excuse. Clifford Sise trains Asian Adventure.

The main threat to the top choice may be Britetonzmyday, from the Wesley Ward stable. Britetonzmyday was fifth in the CTBA, but was beaten only three lengths, despite racing wide into the turn and being a bit crowded from along the inside in upper stretch.

Before the CTBA, Britetonzmyday posted a wire-to-wire victory in the Juan Gonzalez Stakes at Pleasanton. Her Beyer Speed Figure in that race was 72.

Others of note are Chabuka and Gyrene, who were first and second in the Solano County Juvenile July 22, and Ramekin, who beat straight maidens in her only start at Vallejo.

Chabuka was a mild surprise in the Solano County, because she was coming off a win in a $40,000 maiden claiming race. But she is nicely bred and she sold for $31,000 at a juvenile sale. She also has been improving. Her last three Beyers are 42, 55, and 62.

Gyrene hopped at the start of the Solano and lost by only a length.