Promising maidens in Del Mar Race 5

There are several well-regarded 2-year-old maidens who will go a mile in Race 5 at Del Mar on Thursday, and judging by what some of the runners have done to date, and what their connections think of them, this could prove to be a key race.

He’s Stylish, a colt by Into Mischief, is the likely favorite after finishing second to the highly regarded McKinzie in a fast maiden race at Santa Anita going seven furlongs Oct. 28. He got a Beyer Speed Figure of 88, which usually is more than sufficient to win at that level.

“He ran valiantly,” said his trainer, Phil D’Amato. “First out, inside post going seven-eighths, had to do all the dirty work, showed a lot of heart and determination. He’s a big, long-striding horse who’s crying out to go long.”

His rivals include Peace, a colt by Violence who ran on well for second in his debut going six furlongs at Santa Anita on Sept. 30.

“He looks like he wants to go two turns, the way he ran first time,” said Richard Mandella, who trains Peace. “He’s worked well. We’re excited about the idea.”

The race also includes Shivermetimbers, a son of Shanghai Bobby who has raced twice, both in live races, most recently finishing third in the same race He’s Stylish exits.

Earlier Thursday, Mandella will make the unusual step of running the maiden Scandal against a first-level allowance field in Race 1, for older females at 1 3/8 miles on turf. Scandal has raced 15 times, and has finished second nine times.

“I’ve wanted to try her a mile and three-eighths or a mile and a-half,” Mandella said of a distance rarely run at all, let alone for maidens. “I thought I might as well do it. If you never run in one, you’ll never know, and it could make a difference.”