Cambodia on favorite turf course in John C. Mabee

DEL MAR, Calif. – Cambodia, who will start as the favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar, has changed in the last year.

From jockey Drayden Van Dyke’s perspective, an already talented mare has improved.

“She’s in love with this course,” Van Dyke said. “She puts you in the race now. Last year, she was a little aggressive, but last time, she was so kind.”

Van Dyke, the leading rider at this meeting through Wednesday, has won three turf stakes here on Cambodia in the last 13 months, the most recent of which was a convincing victory by 2 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 4.

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For the $200,000 Mabee Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf, Cambodia will start against four rivals from that race, including second- and third-place finishers Madame Stripes and Sophie P.

Cambodia may have performed brilliantly in the Yellow Ribbon, but she has not scared anyone away from the Mabee. The race has six other 2018 stakes winners – Cordiality, Fahan Mura, Madame Stripes, Sophie P, Storm the Hill, and The Tulip.

KEY CONTENDERS

Cambodia, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 95-95-94

◗ Owned by Winter Quarter Farm and trained by Tom Proctor, Cambodia can win her fifth stakes in the Mabee.

◗ In the Yellow Ribbon, Cambodia broke from post 10 in a field of 11. She stalked the pace before making a commanding move on the turn.

“It was big to get over from the 10 hole,” Van Dyke said. “She puts me in a good spot. She’s tactical. I think she’ll be tough.”

Fahan Mura, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 96-93-95

◗ Fahan Mura won the Osunitas Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf July 20 for her fifth win in her last six starts. A 4-year-old filly, Fahan Mura was entered for the CTT-TOC Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf Aug. 15 but did not start because of illness.

◗ Fahan Mura is a bold front-runner. She used that style to win two $32,000 claiming races in January and February and two allowance races with claiming options in March and May, all at Santa Anita. In the Osunitas, Fahan Mura led by three lengths early and finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Achira, who is part of the Mabee field.

◗ Trainer Vladimir Cerin said Fahan Mura can be difficult to beat because of her ability to lead and her stamina.

“It’s not the distance, it’s the pace,” he said. “It not that easy to do – to come after someone with a high cruising speed. I think she’s a mile-and-a-half horse.”

Vasilika, by Skipshot
Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-92

◗ The Mabee will be a class test for Vasilika, who is unbeaten in five starts since the first of April. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Vasilika won her only start at this meeting, an allowance race with a $100,000 claiming option at a mile July 21.