Chasing Yesterday targets Desi Arnaz Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Chasing Yesterday, a 2-year-old half-sister to 2015 Triple Crown hero American Pharoah, will be pointed to the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes at Del Mar next month after winning her first stakes in the $77,500 Anoakia Stakes last Sunday at Santa Anita.

Trainer Bob Baffert said Wednesday that Chasing Yesterday will run in the Desi Arnaz Stakes at seven furlongs for fillies on Nov. 12. He said she is not a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs.

“The Desi Arnaz will be her next start,” Baffert said.

Owned by Jane Lyon, who races as Summer Wind Equine, Chasing Yesterday, by Tapit, won the Anoakia Stakes by a half-length, running six furlongs in 1:09.86. Chasing Yesterday has won 2 of 3 starts. She won her debut July 28 at Del Mar but was seventh as the 8-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes on Sept. 1 at Saratoga.

On Tuesday at Santa Anita, Baffert worked Marley’s Freedom five furlongs in 1:00.40 for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 3. Marley’s Freedom is likely to be favored in the Filly and Mare Sprint on the basis of her win in the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes on Aug. 25 at Saratoga.

Also Tuesday, the 2-year-old filly Rayana worked five furlongs from the gate in 1:00.40. Rayana won a maiden special weight race at a mile on turf Sept. 3 at Del Mar in her debut but missed the Surfer Girl Stakes on Oct. 8 at Santa Anita because of illness.

Baffert said he has not ruled out starting Rayana in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 2 but admitted the timing is not ideal.

“It’s day to day,” he said.

Another option is the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes at a mile on turf Nov. 24 at Del Mar.