Elektrum faces classy South Americans in Osunitas
DEL MAR, Calif. – Notwithstanding a small purse and restrictive conditions, the $75,000 Osunitas Stakes on Sunday at Del Mar attracted a top field of female turf runners.
Elektrum is a Grade 2 winner with Breeders’ Cup aspirations, Juno and Sobradora Inc were Group 1 winners in South America, and the finicky Prize Exhibit is a Grade 2 winner hoping for a different trip than in her latest debacle.
Eight were entered in the 1 1/16-mile Osunitas, restricted to fillies and mares who have not won a stakes this year worth $50,000 to the winner at a mile or longer. If 2016 had been going as planned, Elektrum probably would not be eligible. But she lost both of her starts this year and is making just her third start of the season Sunday.
Trainer John Sadler believes she has time to catch up.
“I’m hoping she’s good enough for the Breeders’ Cup,” he said.
It is an ambitious goal for a mare who has lost all five of her starts since winning the Grade 2 John C. Mabee at Del Mar one year ago. Since then, Elektrum has not been able to catch a break.
“A little holiday turned into a longer holiday,” Sadler said.
A foot abscess delayed her 2016 debut until May. She finished seventh in a comeback race at a mile, which was too short. Finally, Elektrum was compromised by a slow pace and finished third in the Grade 1 Gamely at Santa Anita.
Elektrum prefers longer distances and therefore is vulnerable Sunday at 1 1/16 miles.
“She always has the disadvantage of style in a race like this because she has to come from way back,” Sadler said.
Soon, the distances increase. The fall campaign planned for Elektrum includes the John C. Mabee at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 4 at Del Mar, followed by two Santa Anita races at 1 1/4 miles – the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive on Oct. 1 and the BC Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 5.
While the Osunitas could be too short for Elektrum, the opposite applies to Juno. A previously undefeated Group 1 winner in Brazil, Juno finished third in a six-furlong dirt sprint June 26, which was her U.S. debut and her first for trainer Richard Mandella.
“I was happy to get a nice start in her,” he said. “I’m hoping that a little longer, and turf, brings out the best in her.”
Juno’s first five wins were on turf at seven furlongs or longer.
As for Prize Exhibit, whatever chance she had last month in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon evaporated with a wildly premature move at the half-mile pole. She finished seventh. Mike Smith replaces Santiago Gonzalez in the saddle Sunday.
The four others in the field are Moon Over Paris, My Year Is a Day, Havanna Belle, and Entrechat.
KEY CONTENDERS
Elektrum, by High Chaparral
Last 3 Beyers: 96-89-91
◗ Though the distance is shorter than preferred for Elektrum, her style suits the closer-friendly course profile. Eight of the 13 turf races this summer at 1 1/16 miles were won by closers.
◗ Victor Espinoza rides Elektrum, owned by Hronis Racing.
Juno, by Setembro Chove
Beyer: 88
◗ She galloped out strongly after the wire in her U.S. debut in a dirt sprint, has trained well since, and figures for a forwardly placed trip under jockey Flavien Prat.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Juno. Trainer Richard Mandella is 10-3-1-2 with a $3.32 ROI over the past five years going dirt to turf and sprint to route. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Buy Formulator PPs
:: Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
Prize Exhibit, by Showcasing
Last 3 Beyers: 86-96-79
◗ Her premature move last out cost Gonzalez the mount. It was an uncharacteristic blunder by Gonzalez, who had won three graded stakes on Prize Exhibit. Prize Exhibit is difficult to handle.
◗ Smith rode her to her first U.S. win in January 2015.
Sobradora Inc, by Include
◗ She won all four of her starts in Argentina, including two Group 1’s, and makes her U.S. debut for trainer Simon Callaghan. Rafael Bejarano rides.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 My Year Is a Day. Trainer Phil D’Amato is 29-10-1-3 with a $4.46 ROI over the past five years with last-out winners in turf routes at Del Mar. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan