Stellar Wind starts slow, picks up pace in workout

ARCADIA, Calif. – A six-furlong team work by Stellar Wind and company did not start out as planned Sunday at Santa Anita, but it ended just fine. For trainer John Sadler, the finish of the work was more important anyway.

Jockey Victor Espinoza was aboard Stellar Wind. The plan was to break off behind a workmate, thereby giving Stellar Wind a target. But the workmate was slow to get started, and the two horses instead broke off together.

“The first horse misjudged it a little bit. He got going a little bit too slow,” Sadler said. “They went 50 [seconds] to the half, then they went 24 [seconds].”

Stellar Wind pulled away from her workmate late, and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:27, according to Sadler.

Clockers gave Stellar Wind a six-furlong time of 1:13.60; her workmate Too Fast to Pass was given 1:14.40. Although the work did not go according to script, Sadler was satisfied.

“It was good,” he said. “She might have shaded 24 seconds the last quarter.”

Champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, Stellar Wind has not started since a runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Oct. 30 at Keeneland. She is gearing up for her first start of the season June 4 at Santa Anita in the Grade 1 Vanity Mile, a race expected to attract Beholder and Taris.

Stellar Wind, 5-for-8 and three-time graded winner last year, including the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks, is owned by Hronis Racing. She was sired by Curlin, and likely will return this year as an improved filly.

“Is she better? All I know is she’s herself,” Sadler said. “She’s good, ready to go.”

Stellar Wind will have one more workout prior to the Vanity.