Beholder right at home in Hirsch Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Shortly after 7 a.m. on Thursday, Beholder was virtually alone on the Del Mar main track, galloping strongly through the stretch under exercise rider Janeen Painter. There were no horses within a furlong in either direction.

“It was sure fun with no one out there,” Painter said as she walked Beholder to trainer Richard Mandella’s stable.

Beholder is often alone on the racetrack, especially near the finish of major stakes in the last two years. A three-time champion, Beholder has won eight consecutive races, with seven wins by a length or more. Beholder will be heavily favored to extend the streak in Saturday’s $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar.

The Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes is familiar territory for Beholder. A 6-year-old, Beholder won the race in 2015 in advance of an historic victory against males in the $1 million Pacific Classic last August.

The same race Aug. 20 is a goal for Mandella and owner B. Wayne Hughes. To get there, Beholder must beat four rivals, all stakes winners, in the Hirsch Stakes, which is run at 1 1/16 miles. The Hirsch is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth to the BC Distaff at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.

The Hirsch will be Beholder’s first start since a cozy win by 1 1/2 lengths in the Grade 1 Vanity Mile at Santa Anita on June 4. Beholder, the champion older female of 2015, easily beat Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, who was second. The Vanity Mile was Stellar Wind’s first start of the year.

Stellar Wind is part of the Hirsch field and will be a firm second choice. The South American Group 1 winners Off the Road and The Dream are part of the Hirsch field, along with Divina Comedia, who was fifth in the Vanity Mile and returned to win the Southern Truce Stakes at Santa Anita on July 3.

KEY CONTENDERS

Beholder, by Henny Hughes

Last 3 Beyers: 101-89-99

◗ Beholder has won 17 of 22 starts and earned $4,736,600. During her winning streak, she has frequently raced from just off the pace and has taken control on the final turn. With a rail draw Saturday, she is likely to set the pace.

◗ Mandella describes Beholder’s best attribute as “consistency.”

“She’s as steady as she can be,” he said.

◗ Beholder has been lightly raced in the last two years. Her 2014 season ended earlier than expected because of an illness. Last October, she missed the BC Classic after bleeding in a gallop. Each time, she has returned to win at the highest level.

“She’s had rests in between, and that helps,” Mandella said.

◗ Watching Beholder gallop Thursday, Mandella said she is often eager in daily exercise, an attribute that carries over to her races.

“She always comes through there like that,” he said.

Stellar Wind, by Curlin

Last 3 Beyers: 99-98-94

◗ Stellar Wind has raced sparingly in the last year. She won the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes here last August and was second by a neck to Stopchargingmaria in the BC Distaff at Keeneland last October. Trained by John Sadler for Pete and Kosta Hronis, Stellar Wind was rested over the winter in advance of a summer and fall campaign this year.

◗ In the Hirsch, Stellar Wind is likely to stalk Beholder early, Sadler said.

“I figure Beholder will be on the lead and we’ll be second,” Sadler said. “It will look like a match race.”

The Dream, by Scat Daddy

◗ The Dream won three Group 1 races for fillies and mares on dirt in Chile in 2015 and was 11th of 16 against males in the Chilean Derby at 1 1/2 miles on turf Feb. 7. A 4-year-old filly, The Dream has worked steadily since late May.

◗ Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is quick to acknowledge that The Dream faces a gargantuan task against Beholder and Stellar Wind in her American debut.

“This isn’t the smartest move in the world, but we want to take a chance at a placing,” Hollendorfer said. “We understand it’s a difficult task.”