Swiss Skydiver likely in Apple Blossom Handicap next

ARCADIA, Calif. - Swiss Skydiver ran at nine venues in 10 starts in 2020, winning five stakes and earning the title of champion 3-year-old filly.

Expect another travel-intensive itinerary this year.

On Saturday, Swiss Skydiver began her 2021 season with a convincing win in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

On Sunday morning, trainer Ken McPeek wrote in a text message that Swiss Skydiver was “awesome” and that she would be flown to his winter base at Gulfstream Park on Monday. Swiss Skydiver may be back on a plane as soon as mid-April, for the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 17, when she would face fellow 2020 champion Monomoy Girl.

“I like the timing of that race,” McPeek said in the winner’s circle Saturday.

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The $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap for fillies and mares is run at 1 1/16 miles.

The Beholder Mile was Swiss Skydiver’s first start in more than four months. She ended her 2020 season with a seventh after a troubled start in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland last November, emerging from the race with scrapes on an ankle. Swiss Skydiver resumed workouts in early February.

“We did give her a break after last season,” McPeek said. “We gave a chance to heal up and fill out.

“She’s special and so good. We’re expecting that this year will be better than last year.”

The BC Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 6 is a long-range goal for Swiss Skydiver, who is by Daredevil. McPeek said the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on Aug. 1 could appear on Swiss Skydiver’s schedule.

Owned by Peter Callahan, Swiss Skydiver has won 7 of 13 starts and has earned $2,025,480. In the $301,000 Beholder Mile, Swiss Skydiver closed from fourth to win by 2 3/4 lengths over the promising As Time Goes By. Swiss Skydiver was given a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for the victory.

Jockey Robby Albarado has ridden Swiss Skydiver her last three starts, beginning with a popular win in the Preakness Stakes against males at Pimlico last October. Swiss Skydiver held off a sustained threat from Authentic in the Preakness.

Authentic had won the Kentucky Derby the preceding month and had won the BC Classic on Nov. 6. Authentic, now retired to stud, was the 2020 Horse of the Year.

“She did beat the Horse of the Year last year,” Albarado said Saturday. “That’s pretty special.”

The win in the Beholder came at a cost for Albarado. He was suspended three racing days – March 21, 26, and 27 – for using his whip in an overhanded position in the Beholder Mile, according to a ruling issued by Santa Anita stewards Ron Church, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer on Sunday. Since Oct. 1, jockeys in California can use their whip in only an underhanded motion.

As Time Goes By, trained by Bob Baffert, had her stakes debut in the Beholder and finished with interest after a wide trip. The Baffert-trained Golden Principal set the pace in the field of seven and finished third, beaten 4 1/2 lengths.

“She ran really well,” Baffert said of As Time Goes By. “She’s really improving. They all ran against a beast.”

Baffert has a deep roster in several divisions, including older fillies and mares.

Gamine, the champion female sprinter of 2020 for Baffert, worked a half-mile in 49.40 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday for a scheduled 2021 debut in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff, a $500,000 race for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs on May 1.

Gamine has not raced since a win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland last November, her third stakes win.

Merneith, the winner of the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes for fillies and mares at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Feb. 13, is in light training, Baffert said. She has not had a workout since the $202,000 Santa Monica.

“I’m just holding off on her,” Baffert said.