Big Book prepping for bigger things

ARCADIA, Calif. – Big Book finished behind the champions Stellar Wind and Beholder in graded stakes last summer and fall before being turned out for the winter.

On Friday at Santa Anita, Big Book will have her first start since September in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles designed to prepare the 4-year-old filly for graded stakes this summer.

“I’m hoping we’ll go in the graded stakes company,” trainer Tim Yakteen said. “She’s come back where she left off.

“She’s training great. Obviously, first time off the bench going long, you’re always concerned whether they’re fit enough and whether they’ll need a race. This race is the beginning.”

Big Book is likely to go favored in a field of 10 in Friday’s sixth race.

Owned by breeder George Krikorian, Big Book has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $94,400. She finished first in the Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar last July but was disqualified from the purse because of a medication violation.

Big Book was later second to eventual 3-year-old champion filly Stellar Wind in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar and fifth behind eventual champion older female Beholder in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes here last September.

◗ Bellamentary may be bound for Belmont Park after her win in the $80,035 Angels Flight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita last Sunday. Trainer Phil D’Amato said Bellamentary may run in the $700,000 Acorn Stakes at a mile at Belmont Park on June 11 or the $200,000 Summertime Oaks at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on June 18.

“I don’t think distance is a problem,” D’Amato said. “It’s a matter of how the races turn out. She came out of the race in great shape.”

By Bellamy Road, Bellamentary won the Angels Flight Stakes at seven furlongs by 2 1/4 lengths after disputing the pace. Owned by Little Red Feather Racing and R-M Racing, Bellamentary has won 3 of 5 starts and earned $135,400.