Stylishly warms up for Maddy Stakes in allowance

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stylishly ran two remarkably similar races to win turf sprints at five furlongs at Del Mar in July and August, closing from off the pace to lead in the final furlong both times.

The wins give Stylishly a leading role in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on Monday. A win by Stylishly could lead to a start for her in the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes at the same distance on Nov. 2.

“We’ve got that as a possibility,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “She’d have to win this to take a shot.”

Owned by Arnold Zetcher, Stylishly is part of a field of five in the optional claimer, and is making her third start for Callaghan. Stylishly, 4, was trained by Cherie DeVaux in New York and Florida in 2018 and earlier this year.

Stylishly won a maiden special weight race on July 25, displaying an impressive rally under Drayden Van Dyke. On Aug. 16, Stylishly did the same in a first-condition optional claimer.

“I thought she’d run well,” Callaghan said. “She’s probably progressing.”

The slightly longer distance of Monday’s race is an advantage to Stylishly, he said.

“She looks like she’s just getting going at five-eighths,” Callaghan said. “We’ve been very happy with her. We’ve been waiting for this.”

Four of the five runners in Monday’s seventh race have won turf sprints. Travieza, who is quick enough to set the pace from the outside post, won he Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in September 2018, but is winless in her five subsequent starts.

Travieza was fifth in a race at this level at Del Mar on Aug. 14, her first start since February. Travieza is trained by Doug O’Neill, who also starts Smoovie, the winner of an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 10. Smoovie is the only runner entered to be claimed for the $62,500.

A quick pace would help Stylishly and Storming Lady, who drew the rail. Storming Lady won an optional claimer at Del Mar on July 17 and was later second and fourth in optional claimers at Del Mar and Kentucky Downs in August and early September.