European invaders dominate Sweet Life Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – A mixture of European imports and a filly with a fine domestic record make Sunday’s $75,000 Sweet Life Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita a highly competitive race, considering its modest purse.

Finess Bere, Out of the Flames, and Treasuring have run well, or at least shown promise, in the United States after arriving from England or France last fall. Mraseel won twice in England last year and will race for the first time in the United States on Sunday. Ms Bad Behavior has raced in California throughout her career, and overcame trouble to win her turf debut Jan. 19.

They are part of a field of 12 in the race at about 6 1/2 furlongs, the final race on a nine-race program that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Out of the Flames, by Showcasing
Beyers: 79-83

◗ Out of the Flames was a fast-closing third in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4 in her American debut and was beaten a neck by Ms Bad Behavior in an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option Jan. 19. Out of the Flames, third in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot last June, is likely to race from off the pace from an inside draw Sunday.

“She wants to be covered up a bit, so it might not be the worst post for her,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “She’s definitely a talented filly.”

Ms Bad Behavior, by Blame
Last 3 Beyers: 80-71-79

◗ Ms Bad Behavior has won two of her last three starts, all for trainer Richard Baltas, including the optional claimer Jan. 19 in her first start on turf.

◗ Ms Bad Behavior is likely to race near the front Sunday from post 8.

“She ran against a good horse and we have a good draw again,” Baltas said. “I know she can run well on turf.”

Treasuring, by Havana Gold
Beyer: 72

◗ Treasuring won the Group 3 Curragh Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at five furlongs on yielding turf in Ireland last year. In her lone start in the United States, Treasuring was seventh, beaten 3 3/4 lengths, in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.

◗ Trainer Callaghan sees the Sweet Life as a prep for the $75,000 China Doll Stakes at a mile on turf March 10.

“She is kind of a lazy filly in the morning, but apparently that’s always been her,” he said. “I think she’ll be running at the end. I think my other filly is more ready for this.”

Mraseel, by Sir Prancealot
N/A-N/A-N/A

◗ Mraseel won two minor races in England last year. This will be her first start since October and first start since being bought for approximately $37,500 at a sale in England last fall.

“She’s a little quirky, but she’s been working well,” Baltas said. “We’re trying to keep her happy.”

Finess Bere, by Pedro the Great
Beyer: 68

◗ Unbeaten in two starts in France, Finess Bere was fourth in the Blue Norther Stakes at a mile on turf Dec. 31, finishing with interest in the final furlong after a slow start. She will have a pace to follow in the Sweet Life.