Vale Dori tunes up for Bayakoa Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif. – Vale Dori will miss the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita next week. A third-place finish behind the champions Stellar Wind and Beholder in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes on Oct. 1 put an end to those plans for at least this year.

The new agenda begins in a third-level optional $75,000 claimer for fillies and mares in Friday’s seventh race. Vale Dori will be a heavy favorite to beat four rivals in a race at 1 1/16 miles that trainer Bob Baffert hopes will lead to a start in the $200,000 Bayakoa Handicap at Del Mar on Dec. 3.

“I think she’ll get better with age,” Baffert said. “I wanted to run in the Breeders’ Cup, hopefully by next year.”

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum of Dubai, Vale Dori joined Baffert’s stable in the spring, having already run in Argentina and Dubai. Vale Dori won a Group 1 at 7 1/2 furlongs on dirt in Argentina in May 2015. In Dubai this year, Vale Dori ran twice, finishing second in the $250,000 United Arab Emirates Oaks and fourth in the $2 million UAE Derby.

Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Vale Dori, by Asiatic Boy

Last 3 Beyers: 91-93-93

◗ Vale Dori won her American stakes debut in the restricted Tranquility Lake Stakes at a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 31 at 1-2.

“She ran well at Del Mar,” Baffert said.

◗ In the five-runner Zenyatta Stakes, Vale Dori was fourth early and chased Stellar Wind and Beholder in the stretch, losing by 12 lengths. Stellar Wind and Beholder are two of the leading runners for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff here on Nov. 4.

◗ Rafael Bejarano, who has been aboard Vale Dori for her three American starts, retains the mount. Vale Dori drew the outside post for Friday’s race and is likely to be near the front in pursuit of expected pacesetter Glory.

Glory, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 68-88-87

◗ Glory has not raced since finishing 13th of 14 in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes on turf in May. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Glory has raced on turf in the last year, winning an optional claimer and finishing second or third in two graded stakes.

◗ Glory had solid form on dirt as a 3-year-old in 2015, finishing third to Stellar Wind in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita in February 2015. Stellar Wind was later honored as the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015.

Chronologic’sghost, by Parading

Last 3 Beyers: 84-71-67

◗ Friday’s race will be the Santa Anita debut for the 4-year-old Chronologic’sghost, who was second in the Emerald Distaff Handicap on Aug. 14 in her most recent start. Chronologic’sghost has shown the ability to race from off the pace or as a stalker.