Rashmi's tactical speed makes her tough in Buena Vista

As a stalker, Rashmi has been unbeatable in California since early November.

Rashmi won the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes for fillies and mares at one mile on turf on Feb. 1 by racing from slightly off the pace, and has an outstanding chance to do the same in Saturday’s Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares at one mile on turf at Santa Anita.

“I would hope to have that kind of trip,” trainer Jonathan Thomas said. “That would be more consistent with her style. She can be tactical.”

The only blemish on Rashmi’s record in recent months was a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on turf on Dec. 26 when she closed from last of 11, much farther back than in most of her starts.

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In the $200,000 Buena Vista, Rashmi may inherit the role of favorite, depending on whether Alpha Bella starts and how enthusiastically bettors respond to Liguria and Uncorked, who were beaten in their last starts.

Alpha Bella, winner of the Grade 3 La Prevoyante Stakes on turf at Gulfstream Park in January of 2024, has finished second in three consecutive starts on dirt since joining trainer John Sadler’s California stable last summer. Sadler said on Thursday that Alpha Bella could be held out of the Buena Vista in favor of the Grade 1 Beholder Mile on dirt at Santa Anita on March 8.

Rashmi is one of two runners in the field trained by Thomas for owner George Strawbridge’s Augustin Stable. They also run Tirupati, who was supplemented for $4,000 when entries were taken on Monday.

Claimed for $50,000 at Woodbine in October, Tirupati finished third in an allowance race at Santa Anita on Feb. 22 after stumbling at the start.

“She was only able to run on the last couple of yards,” Thomas said. “She’s probably a little outclassed on paper. If she can run the race of her life and finish third, it would mean a lot.”

Tirupati won a starter allowance at one mile on turf at Santa Anita on Jan. 4.

The Buena Vista will be the second start for Liguria following a layoff of more than 15 months. A two-time stakes winner, Liguria closed steadily to be third in the Megahertz.

“You worry about a second race back after an extended layoff, but she’s come back as well as she trained before her first race,” trainer Michael McCarthy said.

Uncorked has not raced since she finished second in the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at one mile on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

“To me, that was an extremely tough race,” trainer Phil D’Amato said last weekend. “I thought when she ran second it was a good race.”

A closer, Uncorked had a single win in five starts last year, in the Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf last April.

“I think she likes a mile,” D’Amato said. “It’s probably her optimum distance.”

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