Chatalas looks to bounce back in Chandelier

ARCADIA, Calif. – One less freak to deal with, one more turn to negotiate. That’s the story in the Grade 2, $200,000 Chandelier Stakes, the first of four Santa Anita races Saturday with Breeders’ Cup ramifications.

While division leader Tamara sits out the weekend, 10 juvenile fillies race 1 1/16 miles around two turns. The Chandelier, race 3, includes the second- through sixth-place finishers from the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante that Tamara won in a romp. The winner earns a fees-paid berth in the BC Juvenile Fillies.

Tamara will train into the Juvenile Fillies, leaving Debutante runner-up Laurent as likely Chandelier favorite and providing Chatalas a chance to make amends after she regressed from her maiden victory. Racing seven furlongs in the Debutante, Chatalas finished fourth, double digits behind Tamara.

Chatalas “caught a freak,” trainer Mark Glatt said referring to Tamara. “I was a little disappointed to be honest.”

So were bettors who backed Chatalas as 3-1 second choice.

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“I really don’t know why [Chatalas] did not go on with it. She may just need more ground to work with,” Glatt said.

She and jockey Antonio Fresu will get it Saturday in the Chandelier, a route likely to unfold at a slower tempo than the Debutante. The dynamics benefit potential Chandelier pacesetter Dua, pace-presser Chatalas, and maiden Gate to Paradise, third in the Debutante.

But the horse to beat is Laurent, a laid-back filly who won her debut rallying from last and rallied for second in the Debutante, 6 3/4 lengths behind Tamara. Trainer Peter Eurton will not try to completely change Laurent’s style, but he hopes she can be more involved early adding blinkers.

“She’s a closer, there’s no doubt about that,” Eurton said. “She breaks okay, but she kind of gawks at everybody. I put some blinkers on her, to try and see if I can get her a little more forwardly placed. She’s not in a hurry to do anything.”

Edwin Maldonado rides Laurent.

Dua will make her first start since Aug. 12, when she finished third in the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes. Juan Hernandez rides the potential pacesetter for trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Chandelier (previously the Oak Leaf) a record 12 times.

Scalable is a second-start maiden trained by Todd Pletcher, who won the 2014 Chandelier with New York shipper Angela Renee. Scalable finished fifth with a compromising trip in her debut. Pletcher acknowledged the challenge facing Scalable in the Chandelier.

“It’s an ambitious placing, but she always trained like she had potential,” Pletcher said. “I think she’ll improve stretching out.”

Mike Smith rides Scalable.

Gate to Paradise is a smooth-striding Arrogate filly begging for two turns following a pair of thirds in sprints for trainer John Shirreffs.

“Her breeding indicates that she’d like two turns,” Shirreffs said. “She does everything so easily, so my main concern is, has she made enough effort to go the next level?

“Everybody who’s been on her really thinks she’s special. The big thing is, two turns.”

Kent Desormeaux rides.

Six in the Chandelier are maidens, including Pacific Rose, Pink Whitney, Motet, and Next Right Thing. Autumn Chill won a maiden route last out.

–additional reporting by David Grening

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