Super Majesty gets distance test in audition for Zenyatta
DEL MAR, Calif. – Super Majesty is unbeaten in two starts in sprints, having won a maiden race at Santa Anita by 6 1/4 lengths in her debut May 24 and an optional claimer at Los Alamitos by 15 1/4 lengths on July 5.
She earned Beyer Speed Figures of 91 and 101 in those races, leaving observers eager to see how her career will progress. Super Majesty could be a star in the making, and her first start around two turns in a second-level optional $62,500 claimer at a mile on Sunday at Del Mar will help determine a short-term plan.
The race easily could be a prep for the $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 26, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.
“If she does well, we can look at the route stakes,” he said. “We wanted to try to run in this race to get her stretched out.”
Owned by Jamie Roth’s LNJ Foxwoods, Super Majesty is by Super Saver. She led throughout her debut and won a first-level optional $40,000 claimer at Los Alamitos by stalking the early pace before taking the lead on the turn. She galloped away from four rivals down the long Los Alamitos stretch. Alex Solis rode Super Majesty in those races and has the mount Sunday.
Hollendorfer said Super Majesty approaches the race in excellent form. Her rivals include Clearly Confused, who was third in the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland in April, and Kyriaki, who won an optional claimer at a mile at Los Alamitos on July 12.
“We have to do very well in this race,” Hollendorfer said. “This will be better if she can go longer. I know these races can be tough. If you can win a ‘two-other-than,’ you can go in a stakes.”