Cambodia on favorite turf course in Yellow Ribbon

DEL MAR, Calif. – Four races at Del Mar in 2017 define the career of Cambodia, who starts there in Saturday’s Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap for fillies and mares on turf.

Last summer, Cambodia won the Yellow Ribbon and the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes in consecutive starts. In November, Cambodia was third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf and fourth after a troubled trip in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes.

The $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf will be the third start of 2018 for Cambodia, who races for Winter Quarter Farms and trainer Tom Proctor. Cambodia was sixth behind Sistercharlie in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland on April 14 and seventh behind A Raving Beauty in the Grade 1 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont Park on June 9.

Chad Brown trains Sistercharlie and A Raving Beauty. Brown does not have any runners in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap.

:: Clocker Reports: Get in-depth workout analysis for Del Mar & Saratoga

Cambodia was beaten two lengths after a wide trip in the Just a Game Stakes. The relatively narrow loss has left jockey Drayden Van Dyke eager to ride Cambodia in the Yellow Ribbon.

“When you go back East, you run into some monsters on the turf trained by Chad Brown,” Van Dyke said. “If she runs back to that race, she’s the one to beat.”

Cambodia drew post 11 in a field of 12 in the Yellow Ribbon. Seven entrants have won stakes this year – Ancient Secret, Beau Recall, Fahan Mura, Hallie Belle, Madame Stripes, Sophie P, and Storm the Hill.

Sophie P won the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita on May 26 but was sixth behind Storm the Hill and Ancient Secret in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at a mile there on June 24.

Fahan Mura is not a certain runner. Trainer Vladimir Cerin said on Thursday that a decision on whether she will start would be made by race day. If she runs, Fahan Mura will play a vital role as the expected pacesetter.

KEY CONTENDERS

Cambodia, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 95-94-96

◗ Cambodia tends to race as a stalker and was effective from that position in the BC Filly and Mare Turf last year, finishing 1 3/4 lengths behind winner Wuheida.

◗ One drawback to the Yellow Ribbon for Cambodia is a wide post and a short run out of the chute and into the stretch for the first time. Van Dyke said Cambodia is the sort of mare who can cooperate in the opening furlongs to gain a favorable position.

“If she breaks good, I’ll be able to get over and get covered,” Van Dyke said.

Madame Stripes, by Equal Stripes
Last 3 Beyers: 90-91-87

◗ Madame Stripes led to the final strides and was beaten a neck by Sophie P in the Gamely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“We put her on the front end because there was no speed in the race,” trainer Neil Drysdale said.

◗ The Yellow Ribbon Handicap will be the first start since the Gamely Stakes for Madame Stripes, who can race as a stalker.

“We gave her a month off, and she’s done well,” Drysdale said.

Storm the Hill, by Get Stormy
Last 3 Beyers: 94-80-72

◗ Storm the Hill won her first graded stakes in the Wilshire, her first race for trainer Phil D’Amato. Storm the Hill closed from sixth in a field of nine to win the turf race by 1 1/2 lengths.

◗ A 4-year-old filly, Storm the Hill has thrived at Del Mar in recent weeks, D’Amato said.

“I’ve seen her come to life at Del Mar,” D’Amato said. “She has more speed in her drills and does it easily.”

Beau Recall, by Sir Prancealot
Last 3 Beyers: 88-86-91

◗ Beau Recall, fourth in the Wilshire, will be fitted with blinkers for the first time in the Yellow Ribbon.

“She has a tendency to drop back and make a run,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “We’re hoping it will focus her a little more.”