Stellar Wind has final serious work for Breeders' Cup Distaff

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stellar Wind posted the final major workout of her career Saturday at Santa Anita as she prepares for the final start of her career in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 3 at Del Mar.

Stellar Wind, 3 for 3 this year in Grade 1 races and the presumptive Distaff favorite, worked seven furlongs under jockey Victor Espinoza at 6:40 a.m. She broke off two lengths behind workmate Shenandoah Queen, dropped about four lengths behind her rival on the turn, and rolled past in the stretch to win the work by about four lengths.

“She went excellent, galloped out nice,” Espinoza said to trainer John Sadler after the workout. Stellar Wind was timed by clockers in 1:28.20 over a track that has produced slow times throughout the autumn meet.

“She went really nice, her stride was nice and smooth,” Sadler said, noting that the choice of workmate was by design. Shenandoah Queen is a stakes winner. “That other filly is good, and [Stellar Wind] handled her no problem. I wanted a little better company, and Shenandoah Queen’s got some quality.”

Shenandoah Queen won a $75,000 stakes last out at Del Mar and prior to Saturday was under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Her status is pending. Shenandoah Queen was timed in 1:29.60.

Stellar Wind will have one final workout, an easy five furlongs, prior to the Distaff. The workout will be at either Santa Anita or Del Mar.

Owned by Hronis Racing, Stellar Wind has won 10 races and $2,233,200 from 15 starts, including six Grade 1 races. She finished second in the 2015 BC Distaff at Keeneland and fourth after a bad start in the 2016 Distaff at Santa Anita.

The all-time leading female money earner sired by Curlin, the 5-year-old Stellar Wind is scheduled to be sold at the 2017 Keeneland November breeding stock sale after the Breeders’ Cup.

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• Paradise Woods, the expected pacesetter for the Distaff, worked six furlongs Friday under jockey Flavien Prat. “She went great,” trainer Richard Mandella said on Saturday. “I’m not trying to create something. I’m trying to let her enjoy herself.

“She’s ready to run. I was happy to see her so comfortable.”

Paradise Woods worked by herself in 1:14. She will have one final, easy workout at Del Mar. Paradise Woods won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks last spring and the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes last month.

• Abel Tasman, whose Kentucky Oaks win is one of her three Grade 1 victories this year, is scheduled to work Sunday at Santa Anita. Abel Tasman finished second in the Grade 1 Cotillion last out.