Tactical ability gives Going to Vegas edge in Rodeo Drive Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Maybe this year, the Rodeo Drive Stakes will live up to its Grade 1 designation and produce a legitimate contender for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

It would be breaking news, because the Rodeo Drive has never produced a Breeders’ Cup winner; most Rodeo Drive winners have been longshot field-fillers. The past decade, only two Rodeo Drive winners have hit the board in the Breeders’ Cup.

This is not to disparage the nine fillies and mares entered in the Rodeo Drive, but the female turf division in California generally falls short of world-class. Nonetheless, a fees-paid berth into the BC Filly and Mare Turf is offered in the mile and one-quarter Rodeo Drive, race 9 Saturday at Santa Anita.

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Contenders include Going to Vegas, a $50,000 claim who has emerged as the top turf female in California; Luck, a lightly raced allowance filly from France who scored an impressive win in her U.S. debut; Dogtag, runner-up in four straight; and Fast Jet Court, a Group 1 winner from Brazil making her second U.S. start. The field also includes Neige Blanche, Rideforthecause, Crystalle, Magic Attitude, and Red Lark.

Richard Baltas trains likely favorite Going to Vegas and upset candidate Luck. They could finish one-two. Baltas claimed Going to Vegas in June 2020 and finally figured her out after seven losses.

“She started to improve after I got her to relax,” Baltas said. “We took the blinkers off, and now she seems like she’s exploding in the stretch. She’s got that kick.”

Going to Vegas also has tactical speed, which creates a potent early-late combination she employed to win three of her last four, including the Grade 2 John C. Mabee last out over Dogtag. Going to Vegas could set the pace Saturday in a field light on speed.

While Going to Vegas enters with obvious credentials, entry-level allowance winner Luck is not exposed. Sired by Kitten’s Joy and produced by a sibling to Goldikova, Luck won 2 of 4 in France before owner-breeder LNJ Foxwoods sent her to Baltas with the hope she would appreciate firm ground in California. Good move.

Luck outworked graded winner Bodhicitta prior to her U.S. debut, and ran accordingly. Luck won an entry-level allowance at Del Mar, running faster at each stage of the race, including a final five-sixteenths in a blazing 28.44.

Baltas acknowledged the class hurdle Saturday from first-level allowance to Grade 1. He also recognizes her potential.

“I think she’s a very good horse, and I think she wants a mile and a quarter,” Baltas said.

Flavien Prat and Umberto Rispoli, who each have won graded stakes on Going to Vegas, both expressed interest in riding Luck. Prat will ride Luck. Rispoli, who rode Luck last out, rides Going to Vegas.

Richard Mandella trains Dogtag, also owned and bred by LNJ Foxwoods. She is consistent and frustrating, the runner-up in her last four. What needs to happen for Dogtag to win?

“A little luck wouldn’t hurt,” Mandella said. “She hasn’t been the luckiest in her races.

She gets tangled up, and then comes a little too late. She runs good enough to keep trying.”

Joe Bravo rides Dogtag.