Special Purpose making U.S. debut in Black Pearl Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Special Purpose will start for the first time in the United States in Sunday’s $75,000 Black Pearl Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

The conditions are ideal for the two-time winner in England last year who was third in a Group 3 stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

“If she stretches out, a mile will be her max,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “I think down the hill will suit her well.”

Owned by Qatar Racing, Special Purpose is the only filly in a field of seven with a stakes placing. After finishing third by a neck in the Group 3 Dick Poole Stakes at Salisbury last September, Special Purpose was 10th in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at seven furlongs at Newmarket last October, her final start in England.

Special Purpose has been in training with Callaghan since last fall.

“She does everything right in the morning,” Callaghan said. “She’s a turf filly. They’re never flashy when they breeze on dirt.”

Five of the other runners – Ahimsa, Cute Knows Cute, Navajo Dreamer, Nice Ice, and Sappho – have won on the hillside, while Factorofwon was third on the course.

Ahimsa won her debut on turf in an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option April 27, a performance that makes her a contender in her stakes debut in the Black Pearl.