Unbeaten Rabeeba will be tested in Torrey Pines
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The 3-year-old filly Rabeeba has been a low-profile runner for trainer Bob Baffert this summer, at least so far. The filly’s status could change in Sunday’s Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar.
Unbeaten in two starts, Rabeeba will have her stakes debut against six other 3-year-old fillies in the $150,000 Torrey Pines at a mile on dirt.
Rabeeba, owned by Michael Petersen, won a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs on June 19 at Los Alamitos and an allowance race going a mile on July 26 at Del Mar.
“I’ve been bringing her along slowly and bringing her up in baby steps,” Baffert said. “She’s ready.”
Rabeeba set the pace in both wins, a style that could be problematic in the Torrey Pines due to the presence of the quick three-time stakes winner Mohaven.
Baffert insists Rabeeba is not a one-dimensional runner and will entrust jockey Juan Hernandez with managing the filly’s energy in the first half of Sunday’s race.
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“I think you can do what you want,” Baffert said of race tactics. “I’ll leave that up to J.J.”
Hernandez has the mount on Rabeeba for the first time in the Torrey Pines, replacing Ricky Gonzalez.
“Ricky rode her well, but J.J. is my main rider,” Baffert said.
Mohaven’s wins have been against California-breds at distances ranging from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. The Torrey Pines is her first start in a graded stakes.
In her last start, the Fleet Treat Stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on July 24, Mohaven finished second by a length to She’s No Quant, who is part of the Torrey Pines field. Mohaven set the pace to the final furlong.
“What we know about Mohaven is she’s honest and comes with a good effort,” trainer John Sadler said. “She’s been good on this track. She’s done well since her last race.”
She’s No Quant, trained by Ed Freeman, has won her last three starts. The Torrey Pines Stakes is her first start at a mile.
“I don’t think the mile will be problem,” Freeman said. “Whether she’s good enough, that might be a problem. It’s worth a shot for a Grade 3.”
She’s No Quant could have a favorable trip if a speed duel develops.
“I’d like a stalking trip not too far off the pace,” Freeman said.
The Goat tops tough allowance
The Goat, a three-time Group 1 winner in Chile in 2024 who has lost his first two starts in this country in stakes since May, starts in an ultra-tough, one-mile allowance in Sunday’s ninth race.
The Goat, trained by Sadler, is one of five graded or group stakes winners in the lineup. The contenders include Arrowthegreat, winner of the 2025 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs, and Privman, who won the Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita last October.
The Goat was considered for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic, but was switched to this allowance race for a measure of class relief. In his last start, The Goat was fourth of five in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 18 at Del Mar.
“This is a spot we’ve been waiting for,” Sadler said. “We think he can step up a bit.
“We think he’s rounding into form with a couple of starts.”
The Goat won from off the pace in Chile and may need that sort of trip Sunday. Mirahmadi, last of five in the San Diego, will be prominent early.
Privman tends to run as a stalker. Trained by Baffert, Privman was considered for this year’s Longacres Mile. A winner of three of his last four starts, Privman will be making his first start in 10 months on Sunday.
“It’s good to be able to get a race into him,” Baffert said. “We can build on that.
“He’s fit enough to go a mile.”
Lyell’s Song, unraced since a win in an allowance race at Del Mar last September, is expected to race as a stalker, as will Arrowthegreat, who has not raced in 54 weeks since the Longacres Mile.
The Longacres Mile was Arrowthegreat’s first stakes win in his 18th start.
“It seems like he’s ready,” trainer Dan Blacker said. “I was hoping for an easier spot.
“We hope he runs a good race and comes back to his old form. The mile is his trip.”
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