Santa Anita: Beating Beholder a tall order for Switch to the Lead

ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer Patrick Biancone is taking a realistic approach to starting Switch to the Lead against Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Beholder in Monday’s $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes.

“She’s ready, but I don’t think we can beat the other filly,” Biancone said.

Owned by Kona Stable, Switch to the Lead was second to Unusual Way in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Sprint Preview over seven furlongs Nov. 3, her best result in a stakes. Last summer, Switch to the Lead was third in the Sorrento Stakes behind Eclipse Award finalist Executiveprivilege.

The Santa Ynez is run for 3-year-old fillies over 6 1/2 furlongs and has drawn a field of eight. Beholder will be a heavy favorite in her first start since the BC Juvenile Fillies.

While Beholder is expected to race around two turns later this winter, Biancone said that he would prefer to keep Switch to the Lead in sprints.

“I don’t think she’ll go two turns,” he said. “She’s too speedy. The only bad race she ran was when she ran two turns.”