Sharla Rae likely to stay in California for Rodeo Drive

DEL MAR, Calif. – Sharla Rae, the winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 15, her fourth career stakes win, will race against older fillies and mares for the first time in the $300,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf Sept. 26 at Santa Anita.

Trainer Doug O’Neill said the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive has greater appeal than a start outside of California such as the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland on Oct. 10.

“I think we’ll stay close to home,” O’Neill said.

Sharla Rae won the most prestigious race of her career in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks.

By Afleet Alex, Sharla Rae has won 5 of 13 starts and earned $436,545. She was owned by Glenn Sorgenstein’s WC Racing until early May, when she was purchased privately by current owners Gary Barber, Nils Brous, and Adam Wachtel.