Stellar Wind may come east for Delaware Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif. - Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old female of 2015, may be bound for a race on the East Coast after finishing second to the three-time champion Beholder in Saturday’s $400,000 Vanity Mile at Santa Anita.

Trainer John Sadler said the outcome of the $1 million Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday will influence the decision he reaches with owners Pete and Kosta Hronis.

“I want to watch the Phipps and see how everyone else runs,” Sadler said.

The $750,000 Delaware Handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Delaware Park on July 16 is a possibility.

The Vanity Mile was Stellar Wind’s first start since a second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland last October. Starting from the rail in a field of five, Stellar Wind was fourth while racing on the inside and closed to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind Beholder.

“I’m pleased with how she ran,” Sadler said. “We weren’t helped to draw the one.”

Stellar Wind has won 5 of 9 starts and earned $993,200. The Grade 1 Vanity Mile was her first start against Beholder. The loss gave Sadler a greater appreciation of Beholder, a 6-year-old who has won 10 Grade 1 races.

“She never seems to slow up,” he said.