Region's top turf mares meet at neutral distance in Buena Vista

ARCADIA, Calif. – One mile might be too far. It might be too short. Either way, the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes provides, in theory at least, a neutral distance for California’s top grass mares Saturday at Santa Anita.

Charmaine’s Mia, a sprinter who dazzled in her California debut, stretches to two turns for the first time in two years. If she carries her speed, color her gone. Based on recent works, trainer Phil D’Amato likes her chances to stay the trip.

“Especially her last drill, the way she galloped out gave me the indication she should be able to handle two turns,” he said. “If I didn’t think by the way she trained she couldn’t handle two turns, I wouldn’t waste my time.”

Mucho Unusual, four-time graded route winner, does get the distance. In fact, trainer Tim Yakteen and owner-breeder George Krikorian believe she wants farther, but the calendar forced a decision – train for two months without a race, or run a mile in the Buena Vista?

“If we pass this race, which I don’t think is her ideal distance, the Santa Ana would be the next logical race March 27. It’s a mile and a quarter,” Yakteen said. Already a two-time stakes winner this meet, Mucho Unusual will run Saturday, as one of the favorites.

Ten fillies and mares entered the $200,000 Buena Vista, race 7. And though Charmaine’s Mia and Mucho Unusual are expected to attract the most support, the field is deep.

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Warren’s Showtime stretches to her preferred two-turn trip after a better-than-looked third in a sprint; Red Lark won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks last summer and seeks her first win since. Other entrants include Bohemian Bourbon, stablemates Nasty and Going to Vegas, Sedamar, Sloane Garden, and Heathers Grey.

The race centers on Charmaine’s Mia, who won the six-furlong, Grade 3 Las Cienegas by more than two lengths with an outstanding 98 Beyer Speed Figure. The Las Cienegas was her first for new owner Agave Stable, and first for D’Amato. She raced virtually gate to wire.

“Drayden [Van Dyke] thought she had couple of more gears to spare,” D’Amato said. “I thought if ever there was a chance to try her around two turns, the mile distance would be perfect. Her last two breezes she’s relaxed very well and galloped out very strong.”

By the time Charmaine’s Mia was confirmed for the Buena Vista, Van Dyke was committed to Red Lark. Charmaine’s Mia will be ridden by Flavien Prat. She can either set the pace or press the leaders after breaking from post 8.

If it turns out that Charmaine’s Mia does not stay a mile, Mucho Unusual is positioned for her third stakes win of the winter meet. She already won a pair of Grade 3s – the Robert Frankel at 1 1/8 miles and the Megahertz at one mile. Abel Cedillo rides Mucho Unusual, third in the 2020 Buena Vista and nearing the million-dollar earnings mark. Mucho Unusual has won seven races and $822,715 from 19 starts.

“She’s our stable star, she makes my job very easy because she’s so professional and straightforward,” Yakteen said. “You walk into the paddock with confidence when you have a horse like that.”

Mucho Unusual is one of three California-breds in the Buena Vista, along with graded stakes-placed Sedamar and Craig Lewis-trained Warren’s Showtime. Last out in a statebred sprint stakes, Warren’s Showtime was slammed by a rival after the start, dropped farther off the pace than planned, and rallied to be third.

Warren’s Showtime, 0 for 5 in sprints but 6 for 11 in routes, stretches out Saturday to her preferred two-turn distance.

“She can do anything,” Lewis said. “But she does some things better than others. She’s just very durable.

“She’s a happy filly, she likes what she does,” Lewis said. “She’s just a very unique filly. She runs every time. She knows the game, and likes the game. And I like her.”

Who wouldn’t? Warren’s Showtime has won six races and $569,431 from 16 starts for owner-breeders Ben and Sally Warren. Juan Hernandez rides Warren’s Showtime, a late-runner seeking her first graded stakes win against older. She won the Grade 3 Autumn Miss, for 3-year-old fillies, last fall.

Warren’s Showtime, sired by Clubhouse Ride and produced by Warren’s Veneda, has a 2-year-old full sister scheduled to enter training with Lewis this year. Likewise, Mucho Unusual has a 2-year-old sibling that will enter training with Yakteen. Mucho Unusual is sired by Mucho Macho Man; the 2-year-old filly is by Mr. Big.

The turf rails are at a 10-foot setting on Saturday. From 10 turf miles this meet at the configuration, three were won by the pacesetter, two from second position, one from third, and three from the middle or back of the field.