Class drop makes Elektrum dangerous in Osunitas
DEL MAR, Calif. – Elektrum’s luck ran out at the top of the stretch of the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita on May 25. A 15-1 shot, she was in the wrong place with a quarter-mile to go in the turf race.
“She was completely blocked all the way down the lane,” trainer John Sadler said. “She had a lot of trouble.”
The filly finished fourth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, in her American stakes debut. She takes a drop in class and is capable of winning her first stakes in Saturday’s $80,000 Osunitas Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf. The Osunitas is restricted to fillies and mares who have not won a stakes worth $50,000 to the winner at a mile or longer in 2015.
Ideally, Elektrum would not be eligible for the race. Instead, she is a top contender.
The Osunitas drew a field of 14 but will have a safety limit of 12 starters. Victor Espinoza will ride Elektrum for the first time. A 4-year-old Irish-bred filly by High Chaparral, Elektrum was third in a minor stakes in France last July in her final start in that country. Owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis, Elektrum joined Sadler’s stable over the winter.
Elektrum is a closer and will face a stern test against rivals such as Theatre Star, the winner of the minor Justakiss Stakes at Delaware Park on June 10; Istanford, who won the Sandy Blue Stakes here last August; and Personal Diary, who won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks last August.
Personal Diary, trained by Victoria Oliver, was seventh in the Grade 3 Mint Julep Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 6. She is winless in five starts since the Del Mar Oaks.
Oliver considered starting Personal Diary against males in Saturday’s $400,000 Eddie Read Stakes on turf but opted for the easier race. The Osunitas will be Personal Diary’s first start in California since the Del Mar Oaks.
“We’re hoping that she’s a California girl,” assistant trainer Brian Duggan said. “We hope she likes fast ground.”
Istanford was fourth in the Dahlia Stakes at Pimlico on April 18 in her most recent start. She is winless in four starts since the Sandy Blue but approaches the race in a favorable frame of mind, trainer Mike Stidham said.
Istanford was given a 30-day rest after the Dahlia Stakes, he said.
“I’m looking for her to run well,” he said. “She’s put on some weight and looks fit.”