Mystery Strike steps up to stakes company in Asparagus Stakes
Three runners will make their stakes debuts against a pair of proven stakes winners in Saturday’s $50,000-added Asparagus Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares at the San Joaquin Fair in Stockton.
City by the Bay and Amaranth have three stakes victories each, but Mystery Strike, the only 3-year-old in the field, could go off as the favorite as she puts her 2-for-2 record on the line. Tim’s Go Girl and Sweet Boss, who each have won two of their last three starts, also will make their stakes debuts.
Mystery Strike was a $500,000 Keeneland yearling purchase. Her dam, the unraced Mystery Trip, is a half-sister of 1992 Horse of the Year and Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy and 1990 Preakness winner Summer Squall.
Jockey Russell Baze said Mystery Strike is still learning. She is content to sit back early, and Baze sometimes has to urge her to get into contention. But Baze loves the way she finishes.
“She goes when I ask her, and that’s all that really matters.”
Mystery Strike has beaten older rivals in both career starts, but she’s meeting much tougher company Saturday.
The lightly raced City by the Bay has run only one bad race, finishing seventh of eight when Amaranth beat her in last year’s Betamerica.com Oaks at Oak Tree at Pleasanton. She’s coming off a strong win in a five-furlong turf allowance race.
Amaranth is making her first Northern California start since winning the Betamerica.com Oaks and will be the one to catch from her outside post.
KEY CONTENDERS
Mystery Strike (Beyers: 81-73)
◗ This filly has done everything asked of her thus far, showing improvement in her second start. All four siblings are winners, two of them stakes-placed.
◗ She may need some help up front. She’s undeniably talented and still seems to have untapped reserves.
City by the Bay (Last 3 Beyers: 81-72-79)
◗ She’s not the sturdiest of runners, but she knows how to win. She just won her turf debut and has an easy work since.
◗ She has speed and likes the stalking role she’ll get here. We’ve probably seen her best, and, as good as she is, others may have a higher upside.
Amaranth (Beyers: 88-82-42)
◗ She has keen speed and a perfect draw. She’s led the opening half-mile in all four of her stakes starts this year and should be the one to catch today.
◗ She has met the toughest competition and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure last out.