Super Majesty faces winners in optional claimer

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – A maiden romp in one of the fastest six-furlong races of the Santa Anita spring meet notwithstanding, Super Majesty is no cinch when she faces winners for the first time Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Super Majesty won her debut by more than six lengths, geared down in 1:08.54. The time was the third-fastest of the meet, and the 91 Beyer Speed Figure is the highest among the filly-and-mare sprinters entered Sunday in race 8.

But the pace quickens in allowance races, and Super Majesty is unlikely to get the same trip against winners that she benefited from against maidens. Super Majesty set soft fractions – 22.21 seconds and 45.14. This spring at Santa Anita, that was slow.

Super Majesty took advantage of circumstances and cruised at odds-on. It was visually impressive. The difference Sunday is that Super Majesty faces a better field with more heat.

Winning Vision, Stealth Drone, and Imwiththeblonde can go 21 and change and 44 and change. Ultimate Holiday, L. A. Magic, and Magic Lily have speed. The pace should be legitimate. It might not matter. But for Super Majesty to win again, she might have to survive a pace duel or rally from behind.

Jerry Hollendorfer and assistant Dan Ward train Super Majesty, who wants two turns. She was sired by Super Saver and produced by a Go for Gin mare. Her pedigree, looks, and first-out finish suggest that Super Majesty is begging for longer.

“She’s long like a router,” Ward said. “This will probably be her last sprint.”

Hollendorfer and Ward considered stretching out Super Majesty next weekend, but the N1X route scheduled for July 12 is not guaranteed to fill. The last two N1X dirt routes for fillies and mares, May 16 and June 18 at Santa Anita, had only five runners each.

Aside from pace, Super Majesty is the horse to beat. She is training effortlessly, Ward said.

“She looks like she’s going 1:16, and she’s going 1:10,” he said.

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Key contenders

Super Majesty (Last Beyer: 91)

* Six of the seven maidens Super Majesty defeated first out ran back. None won, and only one hit the board.

* Alex Solis rides Super Majesty, a $400,000 purchase in March 2014 at a sale of 2-year-olds in training. She is owned by LNJ Foxwoods.

Winning Vision (Last 3 Beyers: 27-85-80)

* Runner-up in a similar N1X last summer at Los Alamitos, Winning Vision drops in class for her second start off a layoff.

* An allowance winner in the fall, Winning Vision entered for the optional $40,000 claiming price. Molly Pearson trains. Scott Stevens is named to ride.

Magic Lily (Last 3 Beyers: 73-80-55)

* A four-time winner, Magic Lily makes her first start for Northern California trainer John Martin, who is 57 for 160 first off the claim over the past five years. Magic Lily finished second last out.