Nancy From Nairobi can earn shot at Santa Ana in Friday prep
ARCADIA, Calif. – Nancy From Nairobi lost her first two starts in the United States in December and January before she achieved a breakthrough win in an optional claimer at Santa Anita on Feb. 5. The win has changed trainer John Sadler’s outlook on Nancy From Nairobi’s spring campaign.
Sadler is tentatively planning to start Nancy From Nairobi in the $200,000 Santa Ana Stakes on March 26 if she performs well in an optional claimer at a mile on turf Friday.
Owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis, Nancy From Nairobi can win for the third time in her last five starts Friday. The 5-year-old mare won her final start in England last August in a minor handicap for fillies and mares at a mile.
Friday’s race drew a strong field of seven, including the New York import Chocolatier, the Brazilian Group 1 winner Off the Road, and Beat of The Drum, Chaulk o Lattey, and Glory, who have placed in stakes in the last year.
KEY CONTENDERS
Nancy From Nairobi, by Sixties Icon
Last 3 Beyers: 86-81-82
◗ Nancy From Nairobi was second in her American debut in an optional claimer at a mile on turf Dec. 30 but was seventh of nine in the Astra Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf Jan. 17.
“The first race was pretty good,” Sadler said. “She pulled hard, and we screwed up the strategy in the mile-and-a-half race. She might not want to run that far. The idea is to win Friday and go for the Santa Ana.”
◗ Nancy from Nairobi has won 3 of 20 starts. She won from the front in England but has raced from off the pace since joining Sadler’s stable. Nancy From Nairobi should have a pace to follow from speedy runners such as Chaulk o Lattey and Glory.
“She likes this turf course, and that’s the hidden factor,” Sadler said.
Glory, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 82-92-90
◗ Glory was withdrawn from the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile Feb. 20. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Glory has drawn the outside post in Friday’s race and can end a two-race losing streak.
◗ Glory was the 5-2 favorite in her last two starts – a third in the Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf Dec. 27 and a seventh in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes on Jan. 18. In the Megahertz, Glory set the pace to the final furlong and was beaten 4 1/2 lengths by Keri Belle.
Chocolatier, by Lawman
Last 3 Beyers: 91-82-88
Chocolatier, who drew the rail for Friday’s race, also was scratched from the Buena Vista. The 5-year-old mare will have her California debut Friday for trainer Blaine Wright, having previously been trained by Chad Brown.
Chocolatier won twice in an allowance race and optional claimer for Brown in 2015. Bred in France, Chocolatier ran in six consecutive stakes in that country in 2014, finishing fourth three times.