Stellar Wind gets a tune-up for Breeders’ Cup Distaff

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stellar Wind, the multiple-graded-stakes-winning 3-year-old filly, was eager for action at Santa Anita on Friday morning.

A week before a scheduled start in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland on Oct. 30, Stellar Wind worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 in company with stablemate Scooter Bird. Stellar Wind did not work particularly fast on a track that seemed slower than normal, but was ready to engage Scooter Bird when urged by jockey Victor Espinoza.

Starting two lengths behind Scooter Bird, Stellar Wind was alongside her stablemate on the turn and ran with her past the eighth pole before drawing away by more than a length.

“Look at how quick she goes up,” trainer John Sadler said during the workout, watching Stellar Wind catch Scooter Bird.

Sadler timed Stellar Wind in 1:01. Scooter Bird was given an official time of 1:01.80.

The BC Distaff will be Stellar Wind’s first start since a win in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 30, and her first start against older fillies and mares. Owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis, Stellar Wind has won 5 of 7 starts and earned $553,200.

Sadler knows that facing older fillies and mares will be a tough assignment for Stellar Wind.

“You’ve got to hope the 3’s are catching up with the 4’s,” he said.

Trainer Doug O’Neill worked three of his Breeders’ Cup hopefuls on Friday – Sharla Rae for the Filly and Mare Turf, Land Over Sea for the Juvenile Fillies, and Jimmy Bouncer for the Turf Sprint. They each worked alone.

Sharla Rae, who won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 15, worked a half-mile in 50.60 seconds. She was fifth in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 26.

“She tries hard,” O’Neill said. “I know her Grade 1 was only against 3-year-olds, but she deserves a chance on the big stage.”

Land Over Sea will be an outsider in the Juvenile Fillies. On Friday, she was timed in 51 seconds with minimal urging. Land Over Sea was second behind Juvenile Fillies favorite Songbird in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes on Sept. 26.

Jimmy Bouncer is on the also-eligible list for the Turf Sprint, which is run at 5 1/2 furlongs. A 4-year-old colt, he was third in the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes on the hillside turf course on Oct. 3, but was disqualified and placed fourth for causing interference.

On Friday, he worked five furlongs in 1:01.20.

O’Neill said his horses are scheduled to ship to Keeneland early Sunday.