Summertime Oaks nice spot for Flor de La Mar

ARCADIA, Calif. – The first weekend of May did not go well for the 3-year-old fillies Flor de La Mar and Sneaking Out.

Flor de La Mar finished 11th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on May 3 at Churchill Downs. A day later, Sneaking Out finished first in the Angels Flight Stakes at Santa Anita, but was disqualified and placed second for bumping a rival in the stretch.

More than three weeks later, they meet for the first time in Sunday’s Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita.

Five fillies were entered. Although none are graded stakes winners, all have some appeal. My Majestic Rose was the sharp winner of a maiden race May 2 at Churchill Downs, Colonial Creed was stakes placed on turf in December, and Bizwhacks was third in the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes on March 9 at Oaklawn Park.

KEY CONTENDERS

Flor de La Mar, by Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 46-81-67

◗ Owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing, Flor de La Mar was a well-beaten second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 6 in her stakes debut, finishing 5 1/4 lengths behind the six-time graded stakes winner Bellafina.

◗ In the Kentucky Oaks, Flor de La Mar was always at the back of the field. Flor de La Mar finished 12th, but was promoted to 11th when Jaywalk was disqualified from sixth.

“It was probably a little too steep,” trainer Bob Baffert said.

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◗ Flor de La Mar worked a half-mile in 49 seconds under jockey Mike Smith on Tuesday. Smith will ride Flor de La Mar for the first time Sunday.

“She worked well, and I think this is a good spot,” Baffert said.

Sneaking Out, by Indian Evening

Last 3 Beyers: 86-73-77

◗ A California-bred, Sneaking Out is the only multiple winner in the field, having won 3 of 5 starts. She won the Evening Jewel Stakes for statebreds at 6 1/2 furlongs on April 6 in her stakes debut.

◗ In the Angels Flight Stakes at seven furlongs, Sneaking Out was always near the front and finished first by three-quarters of a length over Miss My Rose but was demoted for bumping that rival.

“I thought the call could have gone either way,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Friday.

◗ The $200,000 Summertime Oaks will be Sneaking Out’s first start around two turns. She is likely to be near the front, along with Colonial Creed.

“She’s had a few races now and it’s time to stretch her out,” Hollendorfer said.

My Majestic Rose, by Majestic Warrior

Last 3 Beyers: 81-70-62

◗ The addition of blinkers earlier this year and longer races have led to improvement for My Majestic Rose, who will make her stakes debut in the Summertime Oaks and her first start at 1 1/16 miles. She will start from the rail under jockey Flavien Prat and is likely to stalk the pace.

“We’ll play the break and let Flavien find where the filly is comfortable,” trainer Rodolphe Brisset said. “The other day, of course, was her best race. I think we’re on the upside and she keeps improving.”