Stellar Wind sticking to dirt

DEL MAR, Calif. – An unsatisfactory turf work Sunday by Stellar Wind, the Santa Anita Oaks winner, will keep her on dirt and out of the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks on Saturday.

Stellar Wind broke off about four lengths behind a workmate Sunday, and despite urging could not close the gap.

“She didn’t love the grass,” said her trainer, John Sadler. “We want to stay on dirt.”

Sadler said the Grade 3, $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes on Aug. 30 is next for Stellar Wind. That’s also the likely next spot for the unbeaten Super Majesty, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer.

“We’re a Grade 1 winner and we probably won’t even be favored in a Grade 3!” Sadler remarked.

The Del Mar Oaks field will be headed by Prize Exhibit, who won the local prep, the San Clemente, on July 19. Others expected for the 1 1/8-mile grass race for 3-year-old fillies are Her Emmynency, Majestic Heat, Paulina’s Love, Rattataptap, Sharla Rae, and Sunset Glow.

Majestic Heat won an allowance race Sunday under Corey Nakatani and will be wheeled back in six days to make her fourth start of the meet, according to trainer and co-owner Barry Abrams.

“She’s a good horse, improving,” Abrams said. “And I’ve got Nakatani, who’s always been very lucky for me.”

Zipessa, unbeaten in two starts, is entered in the $80,000 Sandy Blue Handicap on Friday but also will be entered Wednesday in the Del Mar Oaks, trainer Mike Stidham said Tuesday.

“The owners want to enter both races and take a look,” Stidham said. “I’d like to run Friday.”