Maxim Rate at top of her game for Rodeo Drive

A deliberate and successful progression through the summer could lead to an outstanding autumn campaign for Maxim Rate, who will have her 2020 Grade 1 debut in Saturday’s $300,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita.

Maxim Rate was second by a head in a second-condition optional claimer at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in June in her first start since November. Maxim Rate was unbeaten in two starts on turf at the Del Mar summer meeting – a second-condition optional claimer at a mile on July 10 and the CTT and TOC Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 3/8 miles on Aug. 16.

“She seems to be peaking,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “The time off did her a lot of good. Her three races have been encouraging races and she has all her confidence and momentum going into this race. That’s all great news.”

The Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on turf is one of the leading annual races for the division in California. The winner receives an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

Owned by Slam Dunk Racing and James Barnham, Maxim Rate is one of two 2020 stakes winners in a field of seven, along with the outstanding Bodhicitta, who won the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 8. The other five entrants are stakes-placed this year – Catch the Eye, Lady Prancealot, Mucho Unusual, Pretty Point, and Tonahutu.

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In the CTT and TOC Handicap, Maxim Rate stalked the pace and won by a neck in the longest race of her career. The Rodeo Drive is a furlong shorter.

“I think the distance fits her perfect,” Callaghan said. “A mile and three-eighths was her absolute max in terms of stamina. I think this is an ideal spot. It’s a Grade 1 without a super standout, in my opinion.”

None of the runners in the Rodeo Drive typically races on the lead, which could put Maxim Rate near the front.

“She can do anything, really,” Callaghan said. “She could find herself on the lead or stalking.”

Bodhicitta runs from off the pace. In the Yellow Ribbon, she closed from fourth in a field of seven to win by a nose over Tonahutu. Bodhicitta has won three of her last four starts. Trained by Richard Baltas, she will have her first start at 1 1/4 miles in the Rodeo Drive and first start in a Grade 1 since a second in the Gamely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita in May.

Lady Prancealot and Mucho Unusual were first and second in the Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles on turf for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita last December. Lady Prancealot is winless in four starts this year, but closed well to finish second in the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Sept. 5.

Mucho Unusual was third in the Gamely Stakes and third in the Solana Beach Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 15. Mucho Unusual led in the stretch and was beaten a half-length as the 1-2 favorite.

The Rodeo Drive became a goal after that loss, trainer Tim Yakteen said.

“She came out of the race in excellent shape,” Yakteen said. “We skipped the Mabee at Del Mar so we could come into this race fresh.

“This race doesn’t have a lot of pace in it. I would like to see her quite forwardly placed.”

◗ Saturday’s 11-race program begins with the $75,000 Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf, which drew a field of nine. Callaghan starts Mind Out, who was second in the California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields in May.