Beholder, Stellar Wind work five furlongs in prep for Clement Hirsch Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. -- Beholder and Stellar Wind both worked five furlongs Sunday morning at Del Mar in preparation for a rematch of the Eclipse Award winners Saturday in the Grade 1, $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes.

Beholder, last year's champion older mare, went out at 7:45 am with exercise rider Janeen Painter up. She broke off about three to four lengths behind her company at the half-mile pole, breezed on by as easy as could be through the lane, was up by three lengths at the finish line, and went out to the seven-furlong pole to complete her drill in 59.20 seconds. Del Mar's clockers had her galloping out six furlongs in 1:11.60.

Beholder's trainer, Richard Mandella, had Beholder in 58.60 seconds for five furlongs. He said the work was "a little quicker than planned," but conceded, "I think we're in pretty good shape."

"When she's doing it she looks like she's going slower," Mandella said. "She's always been that way. She makes it look easy."

About 75 minutes earlier, Stellar Wind, last year's champion 3-year-old filly, worked five furlongs in 1:00 under jockey Victor Espinoza during a flurry of activity right after the first renovation break. She, too, worked in company.

Beholder and Stellar Wind were one-two in last month's Vanity Mile at Santa Anita. Beholder will be seeking her ninth straight victory in the Hirsch, a race she won last year prior to her runaway victory against males in the Pacific Classic.

The Pacific Classic on Aug. 20 is her target this year, too. California Chrome, Dortmund, and Melatonin are also pointing to that race.