Spectator to miss Chandelier, BC Juvenile Fillies

ARCADIA, Calif. - Spectator, the winner of the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 5, has been taken out of training and will miss two key Grade 1 races for 2-year-old fillies in Southern California in coming months: Saturday’s $300,000 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

But the Chandelier is the likely next start for Moonshine Memories, who won the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 2, a race in which Spectator finished third in her most recent start.

Spectator was recently turned out for a 45-day rest and is set to return to training on Nov. 1, trainer Phil D’Amato said over the weekend.

“She had a minor issue, but nothing that needed attention other than a 45-day break,” D’Amato said.

D’Amato did not elaborate on why Spectator was taken out of training. D’Amato said he will focus on a 2018 season for Spectator, who is owned by Rick and Sharon Waller.

“She’s a filly that I think will run long, so I’ll look for a solid 3-year-old campaign,” he said.

Moonshine Memories worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday. Trainer Simon Callaghan had considered training Moonshine Memories up to the BC Juvenile Fillies, but said Sunday he is leaning toward a start in the Chandelier.

Moonshine Memories is unbeaten in two starts, having won a maiden race in her debut on Aug. 19. After the Del Mar Debutante, Callaghan said Moonshine Memories was unlikely to start in the Chandelier, at 1 1/16 miles. On Sunday, Callaghan said a lengthy break between the Debutante and BC Juvenile Fillies may not be an ideal scenario.

Moonshine Memories has had two workouts since the Del Mar Debutante.

“It would have been a lot to keep her feet on the ground,” he said.