Beholder's latest breeze raises Mandella's confidence

ARCADIA, Calif. – At a busy time for workouts at Santa Anita on Friday morning, one horse became a target for the three-time champion Beholder.

“When she started her work, there was a horse about 10 lengths or so in front of her,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “She just had to beat it.”

Ridden by jockey Gary Stevens, Beholder caught the unsuspecting rival toward the end of a six-furlong breeze in 1:12.80. The workout left Mandella enthused about Beholder’s chances in the $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita next Saturday.

“It was fabulous,” Mandella said.

Beholder worked the first three furlongs in 36.80 seconds and the final three furlongs in 36 seconds, according to Santa Anita clockers. The workout was described as “breezing,” a reflection of an easier effort than a workout described as “handily.”

The Grade 1 Zenyatta at 1 1/16 miles will be a showdown between Beholder, the champion older mare of 2015, and Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015. This will be their third meeting of the year. Beholder and Stellar Wind were first and second in the Grade 1 Vanity Mile here in June. The order was reversed in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on July 30.

Stellar Wind has not raced since the Hirsch Stakes, but Beholder was second against California Chrome in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 20.

The Zenyatta is one of seven graded stakes at Santa Anita from next Friday through Sunday that are preps for Breeders’ Cup races here on Nov. 4-5. Santa Anita opens its autumn meeting Friday.

There are five Grade 1 races next Saturday, including the Zenyatta. California Chrome will be a heavy favorite in the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.

California Chrome is unbeaten in five starts this year, including the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in March. His rivals in the Awesome Again will include Hard Aces, Win the Space, and possibly Dortmund or Hoppertunity.

Beholder and Stellar Wind will be part of a small field in the Zenyatta that is expected to include Gloryzapper, Tara’s Tango, and Vale Dori.

Klimt, the winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 5, will be favored in the $300,000 FrontRunner Stakes for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles next Saturday. His opponents are expected to include Gormley, Midnight Pleasure, Oopper Wallah, Plum Dandy, and Straight Fire.

Champagne Room, the winner of the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes in August and third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 3, will start in the $300,000 Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles next Saturday.

American Cleopatra, a full sister to 2015 Horse of the Year American Pharoah, was second in the Del Mar Debutante. She is a candidate for the Chandelier, along with Bitzka, Mistressofthenight, Noted and Quoted, With Honors, and Zapperkat.

On turf, Avenge, the winner of the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes on Sept. 4, will run in the $300,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles next Saturday. Ashleyluvssugar and Metaboss, the first two finishers of the Del Mar Handicap on Aug. 2, are part of the field for the $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles on turf next Sunday.

The opening-day feature is the $100,000 Eddie D Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course. Lady Shipman, an 11-time stakes winner trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, will be part of what is likely to be a large field.