Distaff: Sadler happy Stellar Wind under the radar

Early this year, Stellar Wind might have been considered among the early favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Not anymore. Trainer John Sadler will get what he hoped for – a low profile.

“I want to go in under the radar,” Sadler said. “My theory is, sometimes the 3-year-olds peak [in fall]. I want to keep her campaign light so I have a stronger chance next year.”

Stellar Wind, the Santa Anita Oaks winner whose only loss from five starts this year was a tough-trip fourth as the Kentucky Oaks favorite, has started only once since June. Sadler and owner Hronis Racing expect big things next year when the filly, by Curlin, turns 4.

“I think she’s going to peak at 4,” Sadler said. “I want to go in [to the Breeders’ Cup] fresh.”

Stellar Wind, whose rider is Victor Espinoza, has a seven-furlong workout scheduled for Saturday at Santa Anita, followed by a final five-furlong breeze Oct. 24.

While Stellar Wind enters off a two-month layoff, another 3-year-old filly will wheel back in less than three weeks. Salama, the winner of a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race in Peru, made her U.S. debut last Saturday at Keeneland, finishing second in a second-level allowance. It was her first start in 3 1/2 months and her first for trainer Charlie LoPresti.

“We got the race we wanted,” LoPresti said. “I didn’t tighten her down. I told the owners one race is worth five works. You’ll see a better filly next time. She’s not a filly with a lot of early speed. She’s a grinder type. She’ll come running, and she’ll keep running.”

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Salama, who earned a 79 Beyer Speed Figure in rallying wide from sixth position, won five of eight in Peru, including a Group 3 Win and You’re In race. Salama, by Desert Party, will be among the highest-odds runners in the Distaff when ridden by Julien Leparoux.

“We’re very realistic. We know we’re up against it,” LoPresti said. “She’s a longshot.”

It is a different situation for LoPresti. His star gelding Wise Dan was favored when winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2012 and 2013. Wise Dan was retired this year.

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Two weeks out, the preliminary Distaff favorites are Sheer Drama and Wedding Toast, followed by Untapable, Got Lucky, and I’m a Chatterbox.

Sheer Drama will have her final workout next Wednesday in Florida and is tentatively scheduled to ship the following day to Keeneland. Wedding Toast had a workout scheduled for Thursday and another one for Oct. 22 at Greentree Training Center in New York; she ships to Keeneland on Oct. 25.

Untapable, who won the 2014 Distaff and Kentucky Oaks, came out of her runner-up finish in the Spinster in top shape. In the Spinster, she pulled hard while not relaxed early, raced three wide, made the lead in deep stretch, but was collared by Got Lucky.

“We’re right on the cusp of where we want to be, but not there yet,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “It was another tough loss.”

Untapable has three seconds and a third since her most recent win April 10 in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park. Untapable is scheduled to work at Keeneland on each of the next two Sundays.

With California-based Beholder going in the BC Classic, the California candidates for the Distaff will be outsiders. They include Stellar Wind and Yahilwa, the Spinster third-place finisher who remained in Kentucky. Other Distaff candidates from California include My Sweet Addiction and Warren’s Veneda. Warren’s Veneda worked five furlongs Wednesday at Santa Anita in :59.80 seconds.