Pair of short-priced juveniles lead California-bred stakes

The 2-year-old filly Ember Royale won so brilliantly in a maiden race on Sept. 26 at Santa Anita that she left race-watchers eager to see more.

The opportunity arises in Saturday’s $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies for statebreds at seven furlongs.

Ember Royale won by an astonishing 17 1/2 lengths on Sept. 26, quickly pulling clear. She ran six furlongs in 1:09.34 and earned a sharp Beyer Speed Figure of 85.

“She ran beyond belief,” trainer Jeff Bonde said. “It was a wonderful day.

“She did it well within herself.”

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Owned by Rusty Brown Jr., Ember Royale is projected to set the pace in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies, which drew a field of 12.

This time, Ember Royale may be challenged early by Palo Alto Baby, who led throughout a $50,000 claiming race for maidens on Aug. 20 at Del Mar, winning by 9 1/4 lengths.

Closers such a Daytona Diamond, winner of the Generous Portion Stakes for statebred fillies at six furlongs on Sept. 4 at Del Mar, and Free Closer, who finished fourth in both the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 5 and Grade 2 Oak Leaf Stakes on Oct. 3 at Santa Anita, can be a factor in the stretch.

Bonde has given Ember Royale two workouts since her debut win. Armando Aguilar, who was aboard Sept. 26, retains the mount.

“She’s fit and ready to go,” Bonde said. “We’re hoping for another nice race.”

Golden State Juvenile

Early Encore has won 2 of 3 starts, but his margins of victory are not as flashy as Ember Royale.

Early Encore defeated maidens by 6 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita in May and won the I’m Smokin Stakes by 6 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Sept 7 at Del Mar. In between, he finished a surprising third in the Graduation Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 7 at Del Mar.

In each race, Early Encore has been an odds-on favorite and is listed at 2-5 on the morning line in Saturday’s $175,000 Golden State Juvenile for statebred colts and geldings at seven furlongs.

Early Encore is quick enough to lead and may need that sort of speed to establish position from an inside post against seven rivals. Early Encore led throughout his wins. He dueled for the lead in the Graduation before fading to lose by 1 1/4 lengths.

“He got a little better as the meet went on,” trainer John Sadler said of Del Mar.

From Sadler’s perspective, Early Encore should be undefeated. He saw the colt’s expected promise in the I’m Smokin.

“We were kind of shocked at the first race at Del Mar,” he said. “We thought he was the horse that won the last race at Del Mar.”

Early Encore is the only stakes winner in the Golden State Juvenile field.

The recent maiden race winners Angel’s Ember and Golden Club are capable of top-three finishes. The outsiders Cupid Cowboy and Fumano’s Fire have placed in stakes and will need to show improvement to threaten Early Encore.

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