Few toss-outs in 14-horse Robert Frankel Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – One is short on experience, and the other short on luck. Glory and Warren’s Veneda face challenges Sunday at Santa Anita, where they are among a host of contenders in a surprisingly deep turf stakes for fillies and mares.
Most of the 14 entered in the nine-furlong, Grade 3, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes have a shot. Stormy Lucy upset the Grade 1 Matriarch last out; Alexis Tangier is 3 for 6 at Santa Anita, including two stakes wins; Gender Agenda benefits from a softer pace scenario, and Three Hearts will change strategy after front-running suicide last time.
The only Frankel elimination is Honey Ride, expected to scratch unless the race moves to dirt. The field also includes the Graham Motion-trained surface switcher Peace and War and Grade 3 winner Rusty Slipper, the allowance-caliber Fresh Feline and Sweet as a Rose, and the consistent Gas Total.
While the Frankel is tough, the supporting feature is crystal clear. Family Meeting appears formidable in race 2, the $75,000 Blue Norther for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on turf.
An impressive Grade 3 winner last out, Family Meeting is 2 for 2 in turf routes and facing easier.
Glory, meanwhile, moves up in class as the only 3-year-old in the Frankel. It’s a daunting hike from a second-level allowance, but the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee scored sharp wins in both recent starts and is 3 for 8 overall.
The reason for her improvement is footing, according to assistant trainer Dan Ward. “Turf,” he said, noting her pedigree. Glory was produced by a Sadler’s Wells mare and sired by Tapit. Glory’s second dam is Grade 1 turf winner Dress to Thrill.
Both grass races by Glory were powerful; her up-front running style gives her a tactical advantage. Glory and jockey Mike Smith could be loose on the lead.
Warren’s Veneda enters with hidden form and alibis. She bruised a foot Aug. 1 at Del Mar, ran down Sept. 26 at Santa Anita, and had a tough trip in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland. Her seventh-place finish was better than it looks. Squeezed at the start and shuffled into the far turn, she raced in traffic late and finished well.
“She’s better on dirt, but due to the lack of racing opportunities, you have to take what’s available,” trainer Craig Lewis said.
Warren’s Veneda is a Grade 1 winner on dirt and will roll late under Tyler Baze.
Robert Frankel, Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Glory (Last 3 Beyers: 90-88-79)
◗ The first time Smith worked Glory on turf, she worked in 1:03.20. Slow time, but she did it the right way.
“[Smith] really liked her,” Ward said. “He doesn’t have to work 58 to know she’s a turf horse. She’s so sharp now she is even working well on dirt.”
◗ Glory was intended for the Grade 1 Matriarch on Nov. 29 at Del Mar but did not get into the field. A likely soft pace favors her up-front style.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 12 Glory. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 24-1-4-6 with a $0.56 ROI over the past five years in turf route graded stakes with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Warren’s Veneda (Last 3 Beyers: 88-81-77)
◗ Warren’s Veneda added front wraps last time after she ran down, or burned her heels, in her previous start.
“We ran her in bandages, and she was perfect; she showed no signs of running down,” Lewis said. “They are there for protection, and we’ll probably continue that.”
◗ Although horses do not run down on turf as often as dirt, Lewis said, “I just want to keep her used to what I do with her. Her whole career, I trained her with front bandages; every time she has worked, she has had them on.”
◗ Warren’s Veneda will return to dirt Jan. 16 in the Grade 2, $200,000 La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita or Jan. 30 in the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 9 Warren’s Veneda. Trainer Craig Lewis is 30-0-2-5 over the past five years with all horses going dirt to turf. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Stormy Lucy (Last 3 Beyers: 97-91-92)
◗ She paid $132.80 for winning the one-mile Matriarch last out at Del Mar and has always been better at longer distances. Ed Moger trains Stormy Lucy, whose rider is Kent Desormeaux.
Nancy From Nairobi (First U.S. start)
◗ Purchased privately in Europe by Hronis Racing, the 2-for-17 Nancy From Nairobi is making her U.S. debut for trainer John Sadler.
“Distance will be no problem,” Sadler said. “She doesn’t have top-class form, but she is doing real good. I was hoping to get a grass work, but there are no grass works.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 14 Gas Total. Trainer Richard Mandella is 33-10-2-4 with a $2.64 ROI over the past five years going dirt to turf in routes on the Southern California circuit. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan