Top sprinters stretching out in Beholder Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – If the reopening of Santa Anita this week marks the start of a new era, it is appropriate for Marley’s Freedom and Selcourt to lead the way. They are the circuit’s top female sprinters, and are also trying something new – two turns Saturday in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile.

While the California Horse Racing Board deliberated medication and whip issues this week, and while Santa Anita prepared to reopen for the first time in nearly four weeks, Marley’s Freedom and Selcourt prepared for uncharted waters. The Beholder is their first route. In the uncertain environment of Southern California racing, the handicapping ambiguity is fitting.

“You never know until you do it,” trainer John Sadler said, referring to the two-turn challenge that faces front-runner Selcourt, sprint runner-up last out behind Marley’s Freedom. A field of seven entered the Beholder, race 9 on a card with four graded stakes.

Sadler also starts favorite Catapult in the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on turf, race 5. Ax Man is the likely favorite in the Grade 2 San Carlos at seven furlongs, race 6. Elysea’s World is a principal in the Grade 3 Santa Ana for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on turf, race 7.

The card “has an opening-day feel to it,” Sadler said. “Everybody is going to be excited to go back to work, doing our jobs.”

The weekend also begins with apprehension after a tumultuous winter – an increase in equine fatalities, temporary closure of the main track, changes in medication rules, and unclear guidelines (as of Thursday morning) regarding whip use.

“These have been crazy times, I’m just happy we’re back racing,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “I love it here, I don’t want to leave. The track is safer than it was before the rains, and we have [trackman] Dennis Moore back.”

Baltas has extra reason for enthusiasm Saturday because he starts contenders in three stakes – Secret Spice in the Beholder, Next Shares in the Kilroe, and Elysea’s World in the Santa Ana.

Seven fillies and mares entered the Beholder. In addition to Marley’s Freedom, Selcourt, and Secret Spice, the field includes Grade 1 winner Paradise Woods, Grade 2 winner Mopotism, and allowance-caliber Just a Smidge and Exuberance.

Bob Baffert trains Marley’s Freedom, the 4-5 favorite, whose victory Feb. 16 in the Grade 2, seven-furlong Santa Monica was her fifth graded win from her last six starts. Her versatility and pedigree suggest two turns is within reach. She won a one-turn mile at Aqueduct in December.

Win or lose, Selcourt is the key due to her likely role as pacesetter. “She always does her best running when she’s running relaxed, in front or laying a little off, that’s the ideal scenario,” Sadler said. “A bad scenario would be 44 [half-mile fraction], hooked up.”

The main pace rival for Selcourt is Paradise Woods, drawn directly to her outside. Secret Spice also has speed, and she could force the issue after breaking from the rail.

The Beholder was originally scheduled for March 16, rescheduled to March 23, then rescheduled again for Saturday. The postponements likely preclude Beholder starters from running back in the richest filly-mare dirt race of spring – the Grade 1, $750,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 14 at Oaklawn Park.

KEY CONTENDERS

Marley’s Freedom, by Blame
Last 3 Beyers: 99-102-91

◗ If not for a wide-trip fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, Marley’s Freedom would have won seven straight. She scored a comfortable victory last out in the Santa Monica under Drayden Van Dyke, who rides her Saturday.

Secret Spice, by Discreet Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 78-106-78

◗ The triple-digit Beyer she earned two back is the top figure in the field, but she returned to Earth last out finishing third in a second-level allowance. It was her first start in four months.

“I think she probably needed that race,” Baltas said. “She had a race, she’s had four works, and she’s doing really well.”

◗ Giovanni Franco rides.

Selcourt, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 96-77-67

◗ After a subpar comeback in January, Selcourt returned to form last out, finishing second. As for two turns, Sadler said, “We’ve always wanted to stretch her out.”

◗ Selcourt has won 4 of 9 starts. Tyler Baze is her rider.

Paradise Woods, by Union Rags
Last 3 Beyers: 82-88-89

◗ An improved effort is expected. She finished fifth and last after breaking from the rail in her comeback in the Santa Monica. “Maybe the post position hurt her a little bit, maybe the inactivity,” trainer John Shirreffs said.

Mopotism, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 93-80-89

◗ Mario Gutierrez rides Mopotism, third last out in the Santa Monica. Trainer Doug O’Neill said, “Mario chose to stay here and ride her instead of riding Pavel in the Dubai World Cup. That tells you something.”