Ollie's Candy marooned outside in San Clemente Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – The versatile filly Ollie’s Candy won her stakes debut and first start around two turns by a hard-fought neck in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on June 16.

As the summer continues, so do the variety of challenges for Ollie’s Candy, who is unbeaten in three starts. On Saturday at Del Mar, Ollie’s Candy will have her turf debut in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile.

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To complicate matters, Ollie’s Candy will break from the outside in a field of 14 that has many contenders. Ollie’s Candy deserves support along with the turf-stakes winners Ms Bad Behavior and War Heroine and the stakes-placed runners Animosity, Miss Sienna, Ms Peintour, and Pursuing The Dream.

The San Clemente is a key prep for the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 18.

“Everyone who is going in the San Clemente is hoping to end up in the Del Mar Oaks,” said William Morey, who trains Ollie’s Candy.

“So are we.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Ollie’s Candy, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 90-77-75

◗ Owned by breeders Paul and Karen Eggert, Ollie’s Candy will be ridden for the first time by Corey Nakatani in the $200,000 San Clemente. Kent Desormeaux rode Ollie’s Candy in the Summertime Oaks and has the mount on Ms Bad Behavior.

◗ Because of the outside post, Morey expects Nakatani to urge Ollie’s Candy early.

“We’ll have to take it to them,” he said. “We’ll try to get over.

“We’re thrilled with her other than the post. We’ve wanted to try her on the turf, and this is our opportunity.”

Ms Bad Behavior, by Blame
Last 3 Beyers: 85-80-73

◗ Ms Bad Behavior was second in the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on April 7 and is one of three fillies in the San Clemente field trained by Richard Baltas, along with Dulce Ride and Flammetta.

◗ Ms Bad Behavior won the China Doll Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in March.

“Ms Bad Behavior is probably the best horse,” Baltas said of his runners. “I rested her for this race. This was a goal.”

Flammetta, by Wildcat Heir
Last 3 Beyers: 83-74-77

◗ Flammetta won a sprint on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in May and one in June. The San Clemente will be her stakes debut.

“Flammetta is running from off the pace, and I think she’s ready to stretch out,” Baltas said.

Dulce Ride, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 77-56-52

◗ Dulce Ride, who beat maidens on the hillside turf course on June 10 in her first start of the year and her California debut, was supplemented to the San Clemente for $2,000 on Wednesday. Baltas said Dulce Ride has substantial potential.

“I don’t know how good she is,” Baltas said.

West Palm Beach, by Scat Daddy
Beyers: 69-78

◗ A winner of her American debut in March, West Palm Beach was seventh as the 7-10 favorite in the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at Santa Anita on May 5.

“She disappointed us last time, but she had an excuse,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “She was a little sore in her feet.

“I think she’s ready for her ‘A’ game. We had to be patient. I expect her to be competitive.”