Sheeza Milky Way looks to break through in Wilshire Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – The three leading fillies and mares in Saturday’s Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes on turf at Santa Anita have diverse stakes records.

Sheeza Milky Way, a winner of consecutive optional claimers on turf in April and May, has appeared in seven stakes, with a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes in 2016 her best result.

“With the right kind of pace and ride, she figures with these,” trainer Peter Eurton said.

Enola Gray, who is expected to set the pace in the $100,000 Wilshire Stakes at a mile, has won 5 of 9 starts in stakes but has never won outside of the California-bred division.

“She’s won going long on dirt, and we’ll see if she can do it on turf,” trainer Phil D’Amato said.

Prize Exhibit has run in a staggering 25 consecutive stakes since April 2015 and won four graded stakes, including the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes at a mile on turf here in January.

“She’s a tough one,” trainer Jim Cassidy said. “She’ll have one or two more [races], and then we’ll send her back to Europe to sell her.”

They represent half the field in the Wilshire. Trainer Neil Drysdale starts Juno and Madame Stripes, while Place des Vosges represents trainer Richard Baltas.

Juno won two Group 1 races in Brazil in 2015 but is winless in six stakes in this country in the last year. Madame Stripes will have her American stakes debut Saturday.

Place des Vosges was third in the Possibly Perfect Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf June 4 and will be running in a one-mile stakes race for the first time.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sheeza Milky Way, by Sidney’s Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 90-85-85

◗ In her recent wins, Sheeza Milky Way has closed from off the pace. She will be chasing Enola Gray on Saturday.

“The racing style has helped her,” Eurton said. “She doesn’t need to utilize speed early and can maintain that fast kick.”

◗ Sheeza Milky Way drew the outside post, which should give jockey Rafael Bejarano options.

“We get to watch how the race unfolds,” Eurton said. “You don’t have to worry about getting pinched early.”

Enola Gray, by Grazen
Last 3 Beyers: 91-96-91

◗ Enola Gray set a torrid pace in the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes on the hillside turf course May 27 and faded to fifth. This will be her debut in a turf mile.

“I think going long, she’ll get in a more comfortable rhythm,” D’Amato said.

Prize Exhibit, by Showcasing
Last 3 Beyers: 90-87-90

◗ Prize Exhibit was fifth in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill Downs on May 6 and sixth in the Grade 1 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont Park on June 10. This race will be easier.

“In the Churchill Downs race, I thought we didn’t have the best of trips,” Cassidy said. “The New York race I thought was tough. She needs so many things to go her way. There has to be pace, and she has to get through.”