Stellar Wind has choice of stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Stellar Wind is running in a Grade 1 race in August at Del Mar, but a specific goal was not clear as of Saturday morning. Trainer John Sadler said the options include two $300,000 races – the Clement Hirsch Stakes against older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles next Saturday or the Del Mar Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 15.

Sadler said he plans to be involved in the Hirsch Stakes. Aside from Stellar Wind, Sadler might run Honey Ride, the winner of an optional claimer by 4 1/2 lengths at a mile at Santa Anita on June 19.

The race is led by Beholder, the two-time champion who won the Grade 3 Adoration Stakes at Santa Anita on June 13 in her most recent start. Other candidates are Sam’s Sister, Thegirlinthatsong, and Warren’s Veneda.

Warren’s Veneda won the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Invitational at Santa Anita in March but is winless in her last three starts, including a fourth in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at seven furlongs at Los Alamitos on July 11.