Sadler stretches out Rosa's Miracle and switches to turf
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DEL MAR, Calif. – A 2-year-old maiden filly seeking redemption and a 4-year-old allowance filly seeking validation rank as probable winners Thursday in separate California-bred races at Del Mar.
Rosa’s Miracle, who finished off the board as the favorite in her debut less than two weeks ago, stretches out and switches surfaces in race 1, a turf mile for maiden juvenile fillies. Syntax, a stakes runner-up last out, drops in class as the likely favorite in race 7, a filly and mare allowance sprint.
John Sadler trains Rosa’s Miracle, who was well bet for her July 17 debut in a dirt sprint. She had trained well on dirt, but was never comfortable in the race. “She didn’t really run into the dirt, she kind of had her head cocked [sideways],” Sadler said, adding five furlongs was “a little too short, she’s not speedy enough for those races.”
Rosa’s Miracle finished eighth, but she should relish two turns on Thursday. Sired by Corniche, she is a sibling to dual turf route stakes winner Carmelita’s Man. Even before Rosa’s Miracle’s debut, Sadler and owner Legacy Ranch had their eye on the maiden turf mile.
“We think she has the stride and the pedigree to do two turns,” Sadler said. Rosa’s Miracle is likely to make amends Thursday while adding blinkers. Joel Rosario rides Rosa’s Miracle, the $250,000 sales topper at the Fasig-Tipton California fall yearling sale in 2025.
Aside from Rosa’s Miracle, a pair of South American imports are making news at the Sadler barn. Full Serrano, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner, returned to the work tab Sunday, eight days after he was scratched from the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap with a sore foot. Full Serrano, from Argentina, worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds. His next start is pending.
Teao, a high-class import from Chile, arrived at the Sadler stable last week with a glossy résumé. He has won four of his last five starts in Group 1 races, and six of 12 overall on both turf and dirt. Teao was invited to the Japan Cup on Nov. 29 in Tokyo after his most recent Group 1 win April 26 in Chile. Teao went to the Del Mar track for the first time last weekend.
“He looks good, his hair is a little long, because it’s winter time down there [in Chile],” Sadler said. The tentative plan is for Teao to make his Northern Hemisphere debut at the Santa Anita fall meet as a prep for the Japan Cup. Teao is owned by the El Tata racing stable of Carlos Heller.
Syntax, the race 7 favorite, is making his first start for trainer Michael McCarthy. She was purchased through a digital auction for a reported $75,000 after finishing second in the four-runner Desert Stormer Stakes for previous trainer Librado Barocio.
McCarthy said Syntax “worked well here [July 17], trained like she’s well enough to be able to be competitive in this spot.”
Syntax’s new owner is Jordan Wycoff. Syntax is the 7-2 program favorite in the six-furlong sprint. Her chief rivals are La Silenciosa, Redheaded Reba, Lady Gambita, and Miss Practical.
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