Stellar Wind a cut above Torrey Pines foes
DEL MAR, Calif. – Stellar Wind is expected to win Sunday’s $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar.
Already this year, she has won three graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks in April, and was fourth as the 3-1 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 1. Put another way, Stellar Wind could be considered slumming when she starts in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes.
Her presence in the race is part of trainer John Sadler’s plan to aim for seven-figure races this fall. The Torrey Pines will be Stellar Wind’s first start since a nose victory over Tara’s Tango in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on June 20.
“It was almost like the summer off,” Sadler said. “It will be good to have a fresh horse for the fall.”
Sadler said the $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing on Sept. 19 or the $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 26 are possible goals for Stellar Wind. She also might start in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland on Oct. 30.
The first assignment is the Torrey Pines, where Stellar Wind faces five rivals, none a graded stakes winner.
KEY CONTENDERS
Stellar Wind (Last 3 Beyers: 91-86-95)
◗ Sadler considered running Stellar Wind in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on turf Aug. 15 but said he was disappointed when she worked seven furlongs in 1:32.20 on turf Aug. 9.
“She didn’t work well on the turf, and she came back and worked great on the dirt,” Sadler said.
◗ Owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis, Stellar Wind drew the rail in the Torrey Pines and will be ridden by regular rider Victor Espinoza. Stellar Wind is likely to race from a stalking position.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Stellar Wind. Trainer John Sadler is 32-5-7-6 with a $1.05 ROI over the past five years in dirt route graded stakes following a layoff of 45 days; 2 for 2 with Stellar Wind, 3 for 30 with all others. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Rattataptap (Last 3 Beyers: 87-88-85)
◗ Rattataptap was sixth in the Del Mar Oaks, her Grade 1 debut. She was beaten 3 1/2 lengths by the winner, Sharla Rae, a performance that did not discourage trainer Phil D’Amato.
“She had a deceptively good race,” D’Amato said. “She was farther back than I’d like to see. They went fast early and slowed it down.”
◗ D’Amato said he was encouraged when Rattataptap worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 last Monday.
◗ Rattataptap has yet to finish in the first three in a stakes despite five attempts this year.
“With the field small and how good she came out of her last race, I think it’s a shot worth taking,” D’Amato said.
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Ultimate Holiday (Last 3 Beyers: 78-61-81)
◗ The Torrey Pines will be the two-turn stakes debut for Ultimate Holiday, who won an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs here Aug. 8. Trained by Richard Baltas, Ultimate Holiday was fourth in the Angels Flight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on May 16 in her first start in a stakes.
◗ Ultimate Holiday drew the outside post and should be handy for jockey James Graham from a stalking position.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Ultimate Holiday. Trainer Richard Baltas is 9-2-2-1 with a $7.04 ROI over the past five years going sprint to route with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Big Book (Last 3 Beyers: 75-77-65)
◗ Big Book won the Fleet Treat Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies in her stakes debut July 25 to extend her unbeaten streak to three races. She is not certain to start in the Torrey Pines, according to trainer Tim Yakteen.
“We’re deliberating if we want to be cautious and see if we can find an easier spot,” Yakteen said on Friday.