Paved back from break in Osunitas Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – After an ambitious 2018 campaign that lasted from January through December and saw her travel twice to the Eastern time zone as well as face males in a Kentucky Derby prep race, Paved was given a lengthy vacation, with the plan to bring her back in the summer and focus on the second half of 2019.

That itinerary kicks off Friday at Del Mar, as Paved returns to action in the $85,000 Osunitas Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile grass race for females. She figures to be favored against eight rivals.

Paved, 4, has not been seen in the afternoon since finishing fifth Dec. 29 in the Grade 1 American Oaks. Highlights of her 3-year-old season included a victory over males in the El Camino Real Derby on synthetic, a win in the Grade 2 Honeymoon, and a runner-up finish against older star Vasilika in the Rodeo Drive.

That is the form trainer Michael McCarthy is hoping Paved can emulate in coming months. He said she is ready for her first start following the layoff, but his concern is that her two prior races at Del Mar were not up to her usual standards.

“The break has done her some good,” McCarthy said in the office at his Del Mar barn. “She put on weight, filled out, matured. I couldn’t be happier with the way she’s training. My worry is that she’s never put it together down here. We’ve led her over thinking she’d run big and left scratching our head a few times.”

The Osunitas goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Paved, by Quality Road
Last 3 Beyers: 83-78-98

◗ Her final two races last year were not indicative of her capabilities.

“She’s got fresh legs underneath her,” McCarthy said. “We’re hoping she does well this summer and fall.”

◗ Ruben Fuentes has become an increasingly vital part of McCarthy’s team, and he will ride Paved for the first time Friday.

Ahimsa, by Animal Kingdom
Last 3 Beyers: 91-89-88

◗ She has turned in two strong efforts this year following a layoff of nearly nine months, most recently finishing third in the Grade 1 Gamely behind the high-class pair of Vasilika and Rymska. She gets significant class relief here.

Streak of Luck, by Old Fashioned
Last 3 Beyers: 88-91-91

◗ She was sixth in the Gamely, her third straight bid against graded company. This is a slightly softer spot.

◗ She has never finished worse than second in three starts on this course.

Ippodamia’s Girl, by Stormy Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 91-87-77

◗ A winner of her lone start on this course, she looms the one to catch for the ascendant Andrew Lerner barn.