Pulpit Rider out to three-peat in a wide-open Solana Beach
This is the fourth and final year Pulpit Rider will start in the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at Del Mar, which will be run at a mile on turf Sunday. Judging from her performances the last three years, there could easily be some excitement.
Pulpit Rider was second in the 2019 running, only to be disqualified and placed sixth for causing interference. She won the Solana Beach in 2020 and last year by a nose, her only victories in abbreviated campaigns in those seasons.
“She loves this race,” trainer Mike Puype said. “That’s why we kept her in training was to win this race. She will be retiring soon.”
A winner of 7 of 34 starts for owners and breeders Larry and Marianne Williams, Pulpit Rider, 7, is winless in three starts this year. She had a wide trip when fifth in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes for statebred fillies and mares on turf at Santa Anita in May in her last start.
“We backed off and freshened her a little bit,” Puype said.
To win the Solana Beach for a third consecutive year, Pulpit Rider must overcome a strong group of rivals. The field of 10 statebred females includes Eddie’s New Dream, Rose Dawson, Sassyserb, and Warrens Candy Girl. They all have a chance.
Eddie’s New Dream was second in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in May and a game second in an allowance race against open company on July 22 at Del Mar.
Rose Dawson won the California Cup Oaks at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in January and was a well-beaten second in the Fleet Treat Stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on dirt July 28 at Del Mar.
With only four starts, Rose Dawson has the least experience of the runners in the Solana Beach.
“We haven’t seen the best of her yet,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “She’s been ultra-consistent on whatever surface you run her on. Her best distance will probably be long on the grass.”
Sassyserb won an allowance race at a mile on turf at Golden Gate Fields in April, but has had troubled trips in her last two starts, finishing second in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes and seventh in the restricted Osunitas Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf July 23 at Del Mar.
Sassyserb could have been closer in the Osunitas with a better trip through the stretch.
Warrens Candy Girl, the impressive winner of an allowance race on turf last Sunday, is not a certain starter, trainer Craig Lewis said Friday. Lewis said the seven-day turnaround concerns him “quite a bit.”
“She bounced out of it good,” he said. “I’d rather have more time, but there is nowhere else to run. We’re probably 70-30 to run.
“I wish there was pace in there.”
His sentiments regarding the pace scenario affect others such as Pulpit Rider and Sassyserb. Eddie’s New Dream and the longshot Harper’s Gallop are likely to race near the front.