Paradise Woods begins comeback in Torrey Pines

DEL MAR, Calif. – The last time Paradise Woods raced in California she cruised to victory by 11 3/4 lengths in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 8. The last time Paradise Woods raced anywhere she finished 11th as the 6-5 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 5.

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That loss ended any thoughts of an extensive summer campaign for Paradise Woods. The focus is now on the fall, beginning with an end-of-summer comeback in Sunday’s Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile at Del Mar.

“I gave her a nice rest because I thought it was the thing to do,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

Owned by Marty and Pam Wygod and Steve Sarkowsky, Paradise Woods has won 2 of 4 starts. She was second in her debut in January and won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs by 4 1/4 lengths on March 11 before her win in the Santa Anita Oaks at 1 1/16 miles.

In the Kentucky Oaks, Paradise Woods led to the quarter pole before fading rapidly to finish 20 1/2 lengths behind winner Abel Tasman.

“I think it was too much and too fast,” Mandella said. “She jumped from a maiden to the Santa Anita Oaks to Kentucky. She came back thin.”

Paradise Woods is the only Grade 1 winner among the eight fillies in the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes. The group includes Zapperkat, who was third in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita last October, and Munny Spunt, who was fourth in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 13.

KEY CONTENDERS

Paradise Woods, by Union Rags
Last 3 Beyers: 61-107-83

◗ Paradise Woods is quick and expected to dispute the pace from the inside post in the Torrey Pines. She led throughout the Santa Anita Oaks.

◗ Mandella said he is confident of a good effort Sunday.

“I think she’ll be okay,” he said. “She’s fresh.”

Zapperkat, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 85-57-74

◗ Zapperkat, a well-beaten third in the 2016 Chandelier, has started twice this year, finishing fifth in an optional claimer in March and winning a one-mile optional claimer in May. The layoff does not concern trainer Richard Baltas, who did not elaborate on the reason for the break.

“I think she needed time,” Baltas said. “I like the way she’s been working since she got down here.

“I think she’s fit enough. She’s had good gallop-outs in her works.”

Mistressofthenight, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 79-76-78

◗ Baltas has three fillies in the Torrey Pines, including Mistressofthenight and Delitefull Lady. Mistressofthenight won an optional claimer against older fillies and mares at a mile Aug. 9.

“It was a race when she did something she’d never done – go two turns and win,” Baltas said. “I think she is a nice filly.”

Delitefull Lady, by Dialed In
Last 3 Beyers: 75-83-57

◗ Delitefull Lady and Munny Spunt were supplemented for $1,000 when entries were taken Thursday.

◗ This will be a distance test for Delitefull Lady, who beat Paradise Woods in a maiden race at six furlongs in January, but did not race again until she finished fourth as the 5-2 favorite in an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs July 29.

“I think she might have been a little short,” Baltas said.