Stevens looks to continue Arapahoe stakes roll with Galactic Princess

Scott Stevens has emerged as the Mike Smith of the Arapahoe Park meet. (Just kidding, Gary.)

But in all seriousness, the stakes roll that Gary Stevens’s older brother has been on in Colorado is akin to the stakes tear Smith has been on worldwide this year. Scott Stevens has come in for six mounts at Arapahoe, won three stakes, and has a favorite’s chance to add to his total Saturday with Galactic Princess in the $40,000 CTBA Breeders Oaks.

The Oaks, at one mile and 70 yards, is restricted to 3-year-old fillies bred in Colorado.

Galactic Princess won the $30,000 Encantadora under Stevens in her last start on July 9. The rider’s other stakes wins at this meet have come in the $43,000 Aspen with Sky T on June 10 and the $30,000 Colorado Derby on Yo Y Me on July 16.

KEY CONTENDERS

Galactic Princess, by Ready’s Image
Last 3 Beyers: 65-50-50

◗ Scott Stevens, who has won more than 4,600 Thoroughbred races in North America, guided Galactic Princess to an off-the-pace victory in the six-furlong Encantadora. The filly will be looking for her first two-turn win when she stretches out Saturday.

◗ Galactic Princess is out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Western Hemisphere, who is a full sister to General Challenge. Gary Stevens won the Santa Anita Derby aboard General Challenge in 1999.

◗ Ty Garrett trains the rail-drawn Galactic Princess, a three-time stakes winner who races for Hilltop Stable and Eleanor Martin.

Emma’s Dilemma, by Crafty Shaw
Last 3 Beyers: 62-41-42

◗ She made her two-turn debut last out in a conditioned allowance for Colorado-breds and romped by 6 1/2 lengths, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 62.