Sophie P enters Wilshire Stakes with something to prove

ARCADIA, Calif. – Sophie P, fresh off an upset win in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes on May 26, will start in Sunday’s Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita with her reputation largely undefined.

In her third start in the United States, Sophie P will be asked to repeat the best race, and only stakes win, of her 21-race career in the $100,000 Wilshire for fillies and mares.

“People think it was a fluke,” trainer Jim Cassidy said this week.

Asked if Sophie P has something to prove, Cassidy had a quick reply.

“Sure she does,” he said.

The Wilshire Stakes leads to an expected two-race campaign in Grade 2 turf stakes for fillies and mares worth $200,000 each at Del Mar this summer – the Yellow Ribbon Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 4 and the John C. Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 1.

With those races in mind, Sophie P is starting in the Wilshire to have an early-summer race in advance of Del Mar.

Sunday is closing day of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting. Los Alamitos opens its three-week summer meeting Thursday but does not have turf racing. Del Mar opens its summer meeting July 18.

The Wilshire drew a field of nine and is the ninth race on an 11-race program.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sophie P, by Bushranger
Beyers: 91-84

◗ Sophie P was sixth in her U.S. debut in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf April 7 behind Beau Recall, who starts in the Wilshire. In the Gamely, Sophie P closed from fourth in a field of seven to win the race at 1 1/8 miles on turf by a nose.

◗ Owned by Deron Pearson, Sophie P won four times in Britain in 2016 and 2017 and was second in a minor stakes at Ayr Racecourse last year.

Beau Recall, by Sir Prancealot
Last 3 Beyers: 86-91-87

◗ Beau Recall won the Royal Heroine for her first stakes win and was beaten two lengths by Sophie P in the Gamely. For the Wilshire, Beau Recall has drawn the rail, which should not hinder her chances under jockey Joe Talamo, trainer Simon Callaghan said.

“She’s the sort of filly that comes from off of it,” he said. “He’ll need a relatively chilly ride and save ground.”

Ancient Secret, by Kantharos
Last 3 Beyers: 97-94-92

◗ Ancient Secret was second in the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes for fillies and mares on the hillside turf course May 28, her best result in a stakes this year. In 2016, Ancient Secret won the Grade 2 Lake George Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Saratoga when trained by Chad Brown.

◗ For the Wilshire, Ancient Secret has drawn the outside post and will be ridden by leading jockey Flavien Prat.

“I think the distance will be a plus,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “There are a couple of speed horses in there, and we can drop in and stalk and pounce.”