Turf females vie for graded glory in Frankel Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Nearly two years after her American debut, Sweet Charity can win her first graded stakes in Saturday’s Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita. The other seven fillies and mares in the $150,000 Frankel Stakes are at the same stage of their careers.

There are stakes winners in the field, notably Escape Clause and the speedy Fahan Mura, but none that have won at this level.

The race lacks a standout. There is expected support for Sweet Charity as well as Excellent Sunset, who finished first in the Kathryn Crosby Stakes at Del Mar in November, but was disqualified and placed second leading to the promotion of Escape Clause to first. Escape Clause was third in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 3/8 miles on turf on Nov. 22 at Del Mar.

The Frankel Stakes is run at 1 1/8 miles on turf and is the fourth race on a 10-race program that begins at noon Pacific.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Sweet Charity, by Myboycharlie

Last 3 Beyers: 85-86-87

◗ Sweet Charity was third in the Grade 2 Santa Ana Stakes in 2017, her best result that season. This year, Sweet Charity has been limited to three starts. She was third in the Crosby Stakes in her first start since February, a layoff caused by soundness issues in her hind end, trainer John Sadler said.

“We were happy with her first race back,” Sadler said. “She ran well. She’s a relatively fresh horse and a quality horse.”

◗ Owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis, Sweet Charity was held out of the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at a mile on Dec. 2 after Sadler deemed the race “super, super tough,” he said Thursday. Sweet Charity was scratched from the $50,000 Miss America Stakes at Golden Gate Fields when the race was switched from turf to dirt on Dec. 8.

“She should have one more start, but she’s trained well since her last race,” Sadler said.

Excellent Sunset, by Exceed and Excel

Last 3 Beyers: 91-89-83

◗ After being disqualified in the Kathryn Crosby Stakes, Excellent Sunset was eighth at 38-1 in the Matriarch Stakes. Breaking from the rail, she closed from last in a field of 13 to finish 4 1/4 lengths behind race winner Uni.

For the Frankel Stakes, Excellent Sunset has drawn the outside post.

“It’s a big difference,” trainer Anna Meah said. “I know she can handle the distance. I’m confident and high on her.”

◗ Rafael Bejarano rode Excellent Sunset in the Matriarch and retains the mount, a plus from Meah’s point of view.

“He got a better feel for her in the last race,” Meah said. “He can get her to relax a little bit. I think she’ll be a little closer than last time.”

◗ Meah has yet to win with 11 starters, even though Excellent Sunset was first under the wire in the Kathryn Crosby Stakes.

“She could be my first winner twice,” Meah said. “Not many people can say that.”