Stonetastic, Lady Sabelia face off in Roamin Rachel
The $150,000 Roamin Rachel Stakes on Saturday at Parx Racing has attracted a Who’s Who of the Mid-Atlantic’s filly and mare sprint division.
Favoritism in the six-furlong race will go to Stonetastic, who is being considered for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint by trainer Kelly Breen. She is coming off a powerful optional-claiming victory Sept. 1 at Parx, earning a 109 Beyer Speed Figure.
The Roamin Rachel field of seven also includes Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie winner Lady Sabelia; eight-time stakes winner Galiana; and Room for Me, winner of the Regret Stakes at Monmouth Park this summer, who will be returning on a week’s rest after finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom at Belmont Park.
Lady Sabelia, a lightly raced 5-year-old trained by Robin Graham, put together a four-race win streak last winter that culminated with an impressive front-running victory in the seven-furlong Fritchie.
Things did not go as well in her next two starts. She went too fast early and tired to finish sixth in the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland and then was run down by Galiana and finished second after appearing to have the Skipat Stakes won May 15 at Pimlico.
The Roamin Rachel will be her first start since the Skipat.
“She’s been at my barn the whole time, just going easy,” Graham said. “There was really nowhere to run except for Saratoga, and I didn’t think we needed to go there. We’re planning to breed her next year, and I wanted to race her this fall.”
Lady Sabelia could be the second wagering choice behind Stonetastic. She comes into the race off a series of five works. Horacio Karamanos, her regular rider the past two years, will be aboard.
“I think she’s ready to give it her best on Saturday,” Graham said. “Karamanos says she’s back to her old self.”
Roamin Rachel, race 8
Key Contenders
Stonetastic (Last 3 Beyers: 109-95-51)
◗ She’ll be facing tougher here than in her blowout win Sept. 1, but if she passes this test she will head to Kentucky as one of the favorites for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint. She finished fourth in the Filly and Mare Sprint last year.
Lady Sabelia (Last 3 Beyers: 82-58-99)
◗ She has raced well following layoffs in the past. She won a maiden race off a 10-month layoff in 2013 and an optional-claiming race after a five-month layoff in 2014.
◗ She is 3 for 4 over wet tracks.
Galiana (Last 3 Beyers: 91-88-86)
◗ She has won four of her last five starts, all for owner-trainer Rodolfo Romero. In all, she has won 15 of 28 and $616,000.
◗ She was second in her lone race at Parx, the My Juliet. She was coming back on eight days’ rest after defeating Lady Sabelia in the Skipat.
Room for Me (Last 3 Beyers: 95-87-95)
◗ A $12,500 claim at Santa Anita in February, she has since won 4 of 8 starts and $289,000, all for owner-trainer David Jacobson.
◗ She returned on eight days’ rest in May to finish a close second to La Verdad in the Grade 3 Vagrancy at Belmont.
Tea Time (Last 3 Beyers: 75-70-72)
◗ Won her first race in 14 months last time out, a third-level optional-claiming sprint at Delaware Park. Has always had ability. One to consider in the exotics.