Faithfully using Tranquility Lake as a prep for Zenyatta

DEL MAR, Calif. – Faithfully wasn’t beaten all that badly by divisional leaders Stellar Wind and Vale Dori in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch earlier this meet, and before she meets them again next month at Santa Anita in the Grade 1 Zenyatta she will tune up Friday at Del Mar in the $75,000 Tranquility Lake. Faithfully takes a massive class drop and should be an overwhelming favorite against seven rivals.

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The Tranquility Lake is at one mile, short of optimum for Faithfully. But it is a means to an end for a filly for whom there have been high hopes and who is starting to deliver on that promise.

“She’s improving, going the right way,” said her trainer, Bob Baffert. “We’ve always liked her. She ran very well against a couple of good mares last time.

“She came back, worked well. I felt this was a good spot for her.”

Faithfully’s rivals include the vastly improved Mended, who has won seven straight since being claimed for $12,500 in January by trainer John Martin, and Chalon, who is stretching out around two turns and facing elders after finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga last time out.

The Tranquility Lake goes as race 7 on an eight-race card. With the sun setting earlier than at the start of the meet, first posts on Fridays have been moved to 3:30 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Faithfully, by Smart Strike

Last 3 Beyers: 100-95-81

◗ She was beaten less than two lengths in the Clement Hirsch going 1 1/16 miles last time out while earning the best Beyer Speed Figure of her career.

“Hopefully, they’ll go fast enough up front,” Baffert said. “She needs a mile and an eighth, a mile and a quarter. She’d like it a little further.”

Mended, by Broken Vow

Last 3 Beyers: 90-78-84

◗ She has made a remarkable transformation this year and comes off a victory here against an optional-claiming field in which she could have been taken for $62,500. This is by far the toughest test of her career, but she’s in career-best form.

Chalon, by Dialed In

Last 3 Beyers: 79-93-79

◗ Although she possesses keen speed and has yet to race beyond seven furlongs, she is bred to handle a distance.

◗ She is the only 3-year-old in the race.

Street Surrender, by Street Boss

Last 3 Beyers: 85-91-91

◗ She’s back on dirt, her preferred surface, and was only 2 1/2 lengths shy of Faithfully in the Santa Lucia on June 4 at Santa Anita.

Motown Lady, by Uncle Mo

Last 3 Beyers: 96-85-85

◗ She was fourth in the Hirsch in her first start on this circuit and first for trainer Keith Desormeaux.