Evenly matched group makes for competitive Buena Vista

ARCADIA, Calif. – Say what you want about the quality of the female grass division in California, but the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita includes at least one key element – parimutuel appeal.

An evenly matched field of nine entered the $200,000 Buena Vista, a mile turf race in which Madame Stripes, Madam Dancealot, and Insta Erma are the principals. If any hold the advantage, it is minimal.

“Those horses are pretty close,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “It’s going to come down to the ride. It’s whoever gets the trip.”

Baltas trains Madam Dancealot and Insta Erma; each has credentials. Madam Dancealot is a Grade 2 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed. She is facing older for the first time.

“Beyer-wise she’s a little slower,” Baltas acknowledged. “And she’s running against older. That might be a good thing. She is still developing, where the others are already developed.”

Madam Dancealot finished 2017 with successive in-the-money finishes in three Grade 1 races at longer distances.

“I think a mile is right up her alley,” Baltas said. The last time Madam Dancealot ran a mile, she won a Grade 2 at Del Mar.

Corey Nakatani rode Madam Dancealot and Insta Erma last out; he rides Madam Dancealot on Saturday. Brice Blanc picks up the mount on Insta Erma, the even-money runner-up to Madame Stripes last out after an early move. Baltas expects Insta Erma to improve Saturday.

“She might run better this time, she’s doing really good,” Baltas said.

Madame Stripes began her 6-year-old campaign with a perfect-trip score last month in the Grade 3 Megahertz under Kent Desormeaux. She finally learned to settle. In her races last year, she got keen and was not relaxed. Her most recent start, the 17th of her career, was her best yet.

“She settled well, she’s been getting better,” trainer Neil Drysdale said. “She’s very consistent.”

Desormeaux, who counts three wins and two seconds in six starts aboard Madame Stripes, rides her again Saturday.

Drysdale also entered Juno, previously a front-runner, but perhaps not this year.

“She’s much more relaxed this year,” Drysdale said. “We’ll see what happens when she comes out of the gate.”

If Juno does not show speed, Sassy Little Lila could be loose. Other entrants include allowance winner Sweet Charity; Thundering Sky, third in the Megahertz; Pricedtoperfection, making her first start for new trainer James Cassidy; and Fault.

KEY CONTENDERS

Madame Stripes, by Equal Stripes
Last 3 Beyers: 98-85-84

◗ It has been 20 years since Drysdale or Desormeaux won the Buena Vista; they teamed with 1998 winner Dance Parade.

Madam Dancealot, by Sir Prancealot
Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-92

◗ As a deep closer, she is at the mercy of pace.

“She really wants to come from way out of it,” Baltas said.

Insta Erma, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 96-98-96

◗ A presser/stalker, she runs best with a target, and could get that trip Saturday.

Sweet Charity, by Myboycharlie
Last 3 Beyers: 87-82-90

◗ She moves up in class after an impressive comeback victory in a second-level allowance. She is trained by John Sadler and will be ridden again by Rafael Bejarano.