S Y Sky preps for Melair Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – S Y Sky is the rare horse to win a stakes in her first start, having won the $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on April 8.

S Y Sky started in that race at 6 1/2 furlongs instead of against maidens after owner and breeder Nick Alexander decided that she deserved a chance in what he perceived to be a weak running of the Evening Jewel.

Alexander expects much more from S Y Sky in longer races.

“We think she’ll run two turns,” he said.

Alexander and trainer Phil D’Amato will have two chances to prove the point in May. S Y Sky is entered in an optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies at a mile in Thursday’s seventh race, which they consider a prep for the $200,000 Melair Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on May 29.

S Y Sky is by Grazen and is a full sister to Grazen Sky, a 5-year-old who was a stakes winner for Alexander in 2015. S Y Sky is much more than the little sister.

“She’s a big filly, probably a full hand larger than Grazen Sky,” Alexander said.

Alexander suggested to D’Amato that S Y Sky start in the Evening Jewel. A 6-1 shot, S Y Sky closed from third in a field of eight to win by 5 1/2 lengths.

“It was my idea,” Alexander said. “I had to talk [D’Amato] into it.

“She was training well. The race looked light. The worst-case scenario was she’d get a race under her belt.”

S Y Sky earned $110,000 and gained invaluable experience. At the same time, she surprised Alexander with her manners before the race.

“She acted like an experienced filly in her first start,” Alexander said. “She was calm in the paddock.”

S Y Sky is part of a field of six in the optional claimer, including Zapperkat, who was third in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes last October, and Spooky Woods, who was third in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Sakes on March 4.

Thursday’s program has a carryover of $349,792 in the single-ticket jackpot portion of the pick six.

KEY CONTENDERS

S Y Sky, by Grazen

Beyer: 82

◗ Joe Talamo was aboard for the Evening Jewel and retains the mount.

Zapperkat, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 57-74-79

◗ Zapperkat was fifth in her first start of 2017, an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs on March 10.

◗ Trained by Richard Baltas, Zapperkat was sidelined last fall to have a bone chip removed from a knee.

Spooky Woods, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 70-81-73

◗ Spooky Woods was well beaten by Unique Bella and Abel Tasman in the Santa Ysabel. In the Grade 3 Fantasy Sakes at Oaklawn Park on April 14, Spooky Woods was as close as second on the turn and faded through the stretch to finish seventh in a field of 12.

◗ Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Spooky Woods beat maidens in a one-mile race here in January.