Monster Bea doing too well to skip La Jolla

DEL MAR, Calif. – In the days following Monster Bea’s upset win in the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar on July 15, trainer Peter Miller took a guarded approach regarding the rest of the gelding’s summer season.

The outlook had changed by the end of July. Monster Bea rebounded well enough from the Oceanside to plan for a start in Saturday’s $200,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf. The goal is to win the Grade 3 La Jolla and progress to the $250,000 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 4.

No horse has swept the three-race series since Ladies Din in 1998.

“That’s the objective right now – to try and run in all three,” he said.

Monster Bea is part of a field of nine in the La Jolla. The race drew two other stakes winners – Dressed in Hermes and Mr. Roary – and five stakes-placed runners.

La Jolla, Race 9

KEY CONTENDERS

Monster Bea, by Hat Trick

Last 3 Beyers: 93-84-82

◗ Monster Bea races for Gary Barber and joined Miller’s stable shortly before the Oceanside. In the one-mile race, Monster Bea closed from seventh to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Moonlight Drive, another contender in the La Jolla.

◗ Miller said running in the La Jolla has greater appeal than waiting for the Del Mar Derby.

“He’s got a good energy level, and his breezes seem super on the grass,” Miller said.

◗ Monster Bea should get a favorable trip with runners such as Mr. Roary and Imperious One likely to contribute to a quick pace.

Liam the Charmer, by Smart Strike

Last 3 Beyers: 88-84-83

◗ The La Jolla will be the graded-stakes debut for Liam the Charmer, who was a fast-closing third behind Mr. Roary in the Rainbow Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on June 18. Liam the Charmer was beaten a half-length.

“I thought he was the best horse in the Rainbow,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “He was probably compromised by being wide on both turns.”

Moonlight Drive, by Red Rocks

Last 2 Beyers: 88-86

◗ Moonlight Drive’s second-place finish in the Oceanside was his first race since a win in an optional claimer at Santa Anita last February, his American debut.

“I think he needed the race really bad,” trainer Bob Baffert said.

◗ Leading rider Flavien Prat rides Moonlight Drive for the first time, replacing Rafael Bejarano, who is riding in West Virginia on Saturday.

Ebadan, by Holy Roman Emperor

Last 3 Beyers: 75-93-88

◗ Ebadan was 10th in the Oceanside after a troubled trip. His preceding races – a win and a third in optional claimers at Santa Anita in May and June – leave the gelding with a chance for an upset.