CTT and TOC Handicap may be graded stakes stepping-stone for Fahan Mura

DEL MAR, Calif. – Fahan Mura went from winning a $32,000 claimer in January to winning the Osunitas Stakes in July. Whether she can make the jump to a graded stakes will depend largely on her performance in Wednesday’s $75,000 CTT and TOC Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar.

The front-running Fahan Mura drew the rail in a field of seven.

“It’s hard to soften her up because she has so much natural speed,” trainer Vladimir Cerin said.

Cerin said that with a strong race on Wednesday Fahan Mura might run next in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on Sept. 29 at Santa Anita.

Fahan Mura faces a solid field, including the winners of the last two runnings of the Grade 3 Santa Barbara Stakes – Evo Campo and Queen Blossom.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Fahan Mura, by English Channel

Last 3 Beyers: 96-93-95

◗ Owned by Bran Jam Stable and David Clark, Fahan Mura led throughout the Osunitas Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf July 30. She had an advantage of at least two lengths in the first six furlongs and won by 1 3/4 lengths.

◗ Fahan Mura set a quick pace and ended up sixth, beaten five lengths, in the Grade 2 New York Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on June 8 at Belmont Park.

◗ The CTT and TOC Handicap will be the longest race of her career. While the distance will be a test, Cerin is confident Fahan Mura’s pedigree will help her in a race more than a quarter-mile longer than her last start.

“She’s ready to run,” he said. “She’s by English Channel out of a Giant’s Causeway mare. She should be able to run two miles and should be able to do it fast.”

Queen Blossom, by Jeremy

Last 3 Beyers: 88-89-75

◗ Queen Blossom was fitted with blinkers for the 1 1/2-mile Santa Barbara Stakes on April 28 at Santa Anita and responded to win her first American stakes. She wore blinkers again in the Possibly Perfect Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf June 3 at Santa Anita and was beaten a length by Causeforcommotion, who had been second in the Santa Barbara.

“Ever since I put the blinkers on, she’s done well,” trainer Richard Baltas said.

◗ Queen Blossom was held out of the Yellow Ribbon Stakes earlier this summer. Baltas said the race’s distance of 1 1/16 miles was too short for her.

Evo Campo, by Approve

Last 3 Beyers: 86-85-90

◗ A two-time stakes winner, Evo Campo is winless in her last seven starts. She was fourth against males in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf April 22 and eighth of 10 in the Osunitas, finishing 5 1/2 lengths behind Fahan Mura.

“It was a bit short,” trainer Paddy Gallagher said.