Baffert-trained duo tops Desi Arnaz Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Chasing Yesterday, American Pharoah’s half-sister, and her Bob Baffert-trained stablemate, Der Lu, top a field of five 2-year-old fillies entered in the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes, highlight of the Monday holiday card at Del Mar.

Chasing Yesterday, who has raced three times, should keep her streak intact of being favored in every start. She won her debut here during the summer meet on July 28, was seventh in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga on Sept. 1, but rebounded last month at Santa Anita by rallying to win the Anoakia Stakes over two of her Monday rivals, It’sjustanillusion and Andyoushallreceive.

She has yet to go two turns, but this seven-furlong race could be a springboard to the Grade 1 Starlet going 1 1/16 miles at Los Alamitos next month.

Chasing Yesterday was bred and is owned by the Summer Wind Equine of Jane Lyon.

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Der Lu, like Chasing Yesterday, was a winner on debut at Del Mar, defeating maidens Aug. 5. She did not race again until Sept. 29, when she was sent two turns in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita, in which she finished a distant fourth. She now cuts back to a sprint.

Der Lu, a daughter of Orb, was purchased at auction earlier this year for $900,000 by the Baoma Corp. of Charles and Susan Chu.

It’sjustanillusion went down fighting against Chasing Yesterday in the Anoakia. After carving out a hot pace in the six-furlong race, she lost by a half-length while finishing 4 1/2 lengths in front of third-place Andyoushallreceive.

She had only defeated maidens Sept. 30 in her debut and thus was coming back in the Anoakia on just two weeks’ rest for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. She has more time coming into this race.

It’sjustanillusion, a daughter of Uncle Mo, was bred and is owned by the Tommy Town Thoroughbreds of Tom and Debi Stull.

Andyoushallreceive overcame a slow start to win first time out at Los Alamitos before finishing third in the Anoakia. She had no visible excuse in that race, but could benefit by getting an extra furlong with which to work. Brian Koriner trains her for owner Samantha Siegel.

Boujie Girl was not an original nominee to the Desi Arnaz, but was supplemented to the race at entry time Friday for $1,000 by trainer Peter Miller and owners Gary Hartunian and David Bernsen. Although she was fifth in the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland in her last start going two turns, she had a good summer here, finishing third in both the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante and Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes. The cutback in distance should benefit her.