Callaghan sends complementary pair in Sorrento

DEL MAR, Calif. – Front-runner Amalfi Sunrise and late-runner Shedaresthedevil provide trainer Simon Callaghan with a solid one-two punch Saturday in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs at Del Mar.

The field also includes locally based Comical, who won the Grade 3 Schuylerville last month at Saratoga, modest debut winners Powerfulattraction and Shanghai Keely, and longshot maiden Princess Mo.

Graded winner Comical holds a seasoning advantage as the only entrant with two starts, but she drew the rail. Amalfi Sunrise, who romped by more than six lengths in her debut, drew post 4.

Callaghan envisions a contested pace in the six-furlong race, with Comical and Amalfi Sunrise close to the lead, setting up the race for Shedaresthedevil.

Shedaresthedevil “does not have that early speed, but she’ll be running late,” he said.

Few are as quick as Amalfi Sunrise, whose debut romp – 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.49 seconds – was third-fastest of the 15 Santa Anita races at the distance. Since then, Amalfi Sunrise has trained super, including an impressive five-furlong team drill July 19 at Del Mar in which she toyed with her workmate.

While six furlongs is ideal for speedster Amalfi Sunrise, Shedaresthedevil wants more ground. Purchased privately following an impressive off-the-pace debut victory at Churchill Downs, Shedaresthedevil will make her first start for Callaghan.

“Her works have been progressively getting better, but she’s more long-striding and I think will be better when we go seven or a mile,” Callaghan said.

Comical ran the second-fastest 4 1/2 furlongs of the Santa Anita spring meet, winning by six lengths in 52.32. She followed with a neck victory on a muddy Saratoga track in the Schuylerville on July 11.

Trainer Doug O’Neill initially considered skipping the Sorrento to target the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Aug. 31, but Comical is ready for action.

“Her energy is telling us she’s ready to compete again,” O’Neill said. “She hasn’t missed an oat, and her breeze [July 27] was phenomenal.”

Powerfulattraction adds Lasix for her second start following a wide-rallying victory at Los Alamitos. Shanghai Keely won her debut by more than six lengths at Pleasanton. Princess Mo finished a distant third in her only start.

Five of the six Sorrento entrants are sired by former Todd Pletcher trainees – Commissioner, Constitution, Daredevil, Uncle Mo, and Shanghai Bobby.

KEY CONTENDERS

Amalfi Sunrise, by Constitution

Beyer: 88

◗ Norberto Arroyo rides Amalfi Sunrise, whose first-crop sire Constitution has one graded winner already – the colt By Your Side, who won the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga.

◗ Callaghan won the 2018 Sorrento with Bellafina.

Shedaresthedevil, by Daredevil

Beyer: 65

◗ Her debut victory at Churchill Downs was more impressive visually than the speed figure would indicate. She broke slowly, took dirt, angled out, and powered home over a modest field.

◗ Drayden Van Dyke picks up the mount.

Comical, by Into Mischief

Beyers: 75-80

◗ O’Neill does not see the rail as a negative for her.

“For a lightly raced baby, she’s very mature,” he said.

◗ Julien Leparoux rides.