Mohaven no lock vs. She's No Quant in Fleet Treat

DEL MAR, Calif. – Which is tougher – getting to the top, or staying there?

The filly Mohaven, leader of the California-bred 3-year-old filly division off three decisive victories in Cal-bred stakes, faces new challengers Friday at Del Mar.

Notwithstanding her streak, Mohaven is no cinch in the $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies. The 12-runner field is the deepest field Mohaven has faced, and includes five rivals that Mohaven will be meeting for the first time.

The main threat is She’s No Quant, who switches to dirt after impressive maiden and allowance wins in turf sprints at Santa Anita. If she reproduces her turf form on dirt, She’s No Quant could post a mild upset. Based on her speed figures on turf, she already is marginally faster than Mohaven.

Ed Freeman, who trains She’s No Quant for owner-breeder Paul Reddam, noted the filly’s pedigree as reason to be optimistic about the surface switch.

“She by a dirt horse” – Pavel – “and out of a filly who won on the dirt,” Freeman noted. “So, on pedigree there’s no particular reason why she has to be a grass horse. She’s worked well on the dirt; she works very well on it.”

Workouts are one thing, races are another. She’s No Quant, 2 for 4, has never had to cope with dirt kickback, nor is it certain if she will settle. “The nice thing about her on the grass is she’ll relax and finish,” Freeman said. “You hope she’ll do the same thing on the dirt.”

Juan Hernandez rides She’s No Quant; jockey Emisael Jaramillo rides Mohaven.

Mohaven, trained by John Sadler for Legacy Ranch, has done little wrong. She won two of four last year, including a Cal-bred sprint stakes at Del Mar. This year, she finished fifth in a turf stakes against open company, then crushed Cal-breds on dirt at Santa Anita – the Evening Jewel at seven furlongs, and the Melair at 1 1/16 miles. Mohaven will have a target on her back Friday.

“She’s heavy chalk,” Sadler said, expressing satisfaction at the filly’s ability to stay two turns last out. She is by the sprinter Yaupon, which was a concern going into the Melair. “This distance hits her [well],” Sadler said.

Mohaven is making her first start in two months. “There wasn’t really anything for her, and it’s always been the plan to keep her in the Cal-bred program,” Sadler said.

Mohaven has won four races and $334,750 from seven starts.

If there is a knock on Mohaven, it is speed figures that are virtually the same as last year. She also faces a better, deeper field Friday than recent races. Bettors must decide whether to settle for a short price on the most likely winner, or toss the favorite based on value. Favorites are 4 for 11 in the Fleet Treat since Del Mar reinstalled dirt.

Sadler also entered Liberation, whose 3-for-6 juvenile campaign ended with a victory in the Soviet Problem Stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos. That race on Dec. 7 was her most recent start.

“She had a good, active campaign for a 2-year-old filly,” Sadler said. “We gave her a break; this is a good place to start her back. For her second start at Del Mar I’d love to see her on the grass.” Liberation is by Omaha Beach, and a sibling to dual Grade 3 turf winner Rashmi.

Mohaven already defeated six of her 11 rivals Friday. The five new challengers include She’s No Quant, The Loan Exchange, Lyndee’s Dream, Christa McAuliffe, and Taking a Joy Ride.

Taking a Joy Ride is an interesting longshot, facing tougher following a maiden sprint win on turf but also proven on dirt. Two of the last four Fleet Treat winners were up in class off maiden wins (Fun to Dream, 2022; Big Pond, 2023). Both, however, had earned figures significantly higher than Taking a Joy Ride.

Craig Lewis trains Taking a Joy Ride, whose only subpar finish from four starts came with an excuse. She was inadvertently held by an assistant starter on May 22, broke last, and did not rally. Three other starts produced a win and two seconds.

With a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of just 71, Taking a Joy Ride must improve. “There’s no doubt,” Lewis agreed. But he said the Clubhouse Ride filly “has done well, and [surface] doesn’t matter. She’ll run on any surface, at any distance. It’s just a matter of her quality.”

Kazushi Kimura rides Taking a Joy Ride, who breaks from post 12. Others in the field whom Mohaven already has defeated, in addition to Liberation, include Tapatia Mia, Lino’s Angel, Donttellmewhattodo, Troisieme Etoile, and Cecilia Street.