Osunitas represents fresh start for Mrs McDougal

DEL MAR, Calif. – Nearly 10 months have passed since Mrs McDougal won her third stakes, the Grade 3 Noble Damsel Stakes at Belmont Park last September. Since then, Mrs McDougal has been transferred from Chad Brown in New York to Richard Mandella in California, had a lengthy vacation, and has recorded quick workouts for her comeback in Friday’s $75,000 Osunitas Stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar.

The Osunitas Stakes, run at 1 1/16 miles on turf, is ideal for Mrs McDougal’s return. The race is restricted to horses that have not won a stakes worth $50,000 to the winner at a mile or longer this year, other than statebred races.

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The Osunitas drew 16 entrants but can have a maximum of 12 starters. None is as accomplished as Mrs McDougal, who has won 5 of 11 starts and earned $481,880.

“I think she’s ready for a good race,” Mandella said.

Mrs McDougal will be making her Del Mar debut in the Osunitas Stakes and will be ridden by Flavien Prat for the first time. The 5-year-old Mrs McDougal is one of four stakes winners in the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mrs McDougal, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 101-94-97

◗ Mrs McDougal won 2 of 4 starts last year, a season that began with a win in the Plenty of Grace Stakes at Aqueduct in April. She was later third in the Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont Park and seventh in the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga before the win in the Noble Damsel.

◗ Mrs McDougal arrived at Mandella’s barn last winter.

“We got her and turned her out for four months,” Mandella said.

◗ Mandella said Mrs McDougal was rested “for aches and pains.”

“Nothing major,” he said, “just tired.

“We brought her back, and she works like a very good horse.”

◗ In the last month at Santa Anita, Mrs McDougal has had several sharp works, including seven furlongs in 1:25.20 on July 8.

Street Surrender, by Street Boss

Last 3 Beyers: 91-91-87

◗ Street Surrender won the Southern Truce for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on dirt June 25 at Santa Anita. She was second in the Golden Poppy on turf at Golden Gate Fields in May.

“She’s been improving every race,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “Her last race was a good one.”

Street Surrender drew the rail, which Hollendorfer said may work for the filly, who tends to race near the front.

Madame Stripes, by Equal Stripes

Last 3 Beyers: 94-93-87

◗ Madame Stripes has been second in her three starts since winning an optional claimer on turf in April at Santa Anita. The streak includes a runner-up finish to Enola Gray in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at a mile on turf July 1.

◗ Trained by Neil Drysdale, Madame Stripes is a threat from off the pace.

Corps de Ballet, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 93-85-81

◗ Corps de Ballet won an optional claimer at a mile on turf June 11 at Santa Anita in her third start since being fitted with blinkers in the spring. The added equipment has helped her, according to trainer Richard Baltas.

“She’ll run another good race, but is she good enough?” he said. “The race looks pretty tough. She’s getting better.”