Illuminant possible for Yellow Ribbon, John C. Mabee
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
ARCADIA, Calif. – Illuminant, who won her second stakes of 2017 in the Grade 2 Monrovia on the hillside turf course Saturday, could have two starts at the Del Mar summer meeting.
Trainer Mike McCarthy is considering the 5-year-old Illuminant for two Grade 2 stakes on turf worth $200,000 each – the Yellow Ribbon at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 5 and the John C. Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 2. Illuminant missed the 2016 Del Mar summer meeting because of back issues.
In the Monrovia Stakes, Illuminant closed from the back of the field to win by a half-length. She won the Wishing Well Stakes on the hillside in March and was seventh in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland in April.
Illuminant was considered for Saturday’s Grade 1 Gamely Stakes, a race she won in 2016, but started in the Monrovia, which was considered an easier race. Lady Eli and Avenge, second and third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf last November, finished first and third in the Gamely.
Illuminant races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Head of Plains Partners, and SF Bloodstock.
Illuminant is likely to face Goodyearforroses, who finished second in the Gamely, and Avenge in the Yellow Ribbon or Mabee.
Trainer Richard Baltas said Goodyearforroses will start in turf stakes at Del Mar, with the hope that she can earn a spot in the BC Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 4.
