Royal Temptress tries nine furlongs in turf feature
ARCADIA, Calif. – Royal Temptress will start at the longest distance of her career when she runs in a second-level optional $62,500 claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Friday. The scenario leaves trainer Mike Puype unsure of what to expect from a 4-year-old filly who has won twice in eight career starts.
“She’s bred to run the distance,” Puype said. “Whether she does or not, we’ll find out. It’s the biggest question mark.”
Owned by Lynda Lail, Royal Temptress is by the Dansili stallion Strategic Prince. The filly closed well to be second in a similar race at a mile on turf May 10 in her first start in more than two months. Gary Stevens was aboard for that race but is riding at Belmont Park on Saturday. Flavien Prat has the mount on Royal Temptress.
Royal Temptress is part of a field of six in the optional claimer, the third race on an eight-race program that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific.
Race 3
KEY CONTENDERS
Royal Temptress (Last 3 Beyers: 83-77-79)
◗ Royal Temptress was second, sixth, and fifth in optional claimers on the hillside turf course in her first three starts this year. In the one-mile race May 10, she closed from seventh to lose by 1 1/4 lengths.
◗ Royal Temptress might test Prat, Puype said.
“She’s never been a super-easy horse to ride,” he said. “She runs with her head up. She looked smooth at the end of her last race. That suggests that she’ll do the distance. She’s one of the horses to beat. I think the race came up average for the level. We’re taking a chance.”
One More (Last 3 Beyers: 83-79-84)
◗ Trainer Doug O’Neill has two of the six fillies in the race, One More and Diamond Stilettos. Diamond Stilettos is winless in four starts this year on the Santa Anita turf course and is the only horse in the field entered to be claimed for $62,500.
◗ One More was third in the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf in 2014. One More, who might set the pace, is winless in four starts this year, including a third behind Royal Temptress on May 10.
Hug and a Kiss (Last 3 Beyers: 82-68-72)
◗ In 2014, Hug and a Kiss was second and third in two Group 3 races in France. She has not replicated that form in this country but did win an optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf May 2 in her fourth start for trainer Simon Callaghan.
◗ Hug and a Kiss is a threat from off the pace.