Vasilika, Elysea's World top field in Buena Vista Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – A $40,000 claim and a $500,000 auction purchase may provide clear examples Saturday of the difference between cost and valuation.

Vasilika, claimed for $40,000 one year ago, has since won four graded stakes, nine races overall, and has earned more than $670,000. With money in the bank and a 2019 campaign ahead as the top grass filly in California, Vasilika is worth much more now than when she was claimed.

Elysea’s World, purchased at auction for $500,000 last fall, since then has not earned a penny, because she has not started. But Elysea’s World is a multiple Grade 3 winner with residual value as a broodmare. On Saturday at Santa Anita, her value as a race mare will come into focus.

Vasilika and Elysea’s World head a field of 10 fillies and mares in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at a mile on turf. For owners, initial cost is less important than current worth. Bettors face a similar dilemma: Does Vasilika offer value at 8-5 program odds? Does Elysea’s World at 4-1?

The $200,000 Buena Vista field includes Midwest shipper Take These Chains, local front-runner Fahan Mura, and stakes winners Ms Bad Behavior, Compelled, and Amandine. It’s a deep field, with a solid favorite.

Jerry Hollendorfer trains Vasilika, who was almost perfect the past year. She lost just once in 10 starts, when she was fourth as the favorite in the Grade 1 Matriarch two back at Del Mar. Perhaps she moved too soon, perhaps she got beat by better horses. The 1-2-3 finishers were shippers.

Vasilika returned to form with a sharp Grade 3 victory last month at Santa Anita, and according to assistant trainer Dan Ward she has not missed a beat during this rainy winter.

“She’s been right on schedule, and the good thing now is she’s even training better on the dirt,” Ward said.

Elysea’s World, meanwhile, has been a challenge. The mare arrived in California last fall, and new trainer Richard Baltas acknowledged, “She’s been quite a project.”

Elysea’s World previously was trained by Chad Brown. Baltas soon recognized the mare “is a little bit of a head case. But she’s starting to relax, I think her works are better.”

Baltas also entered Ms Bad Behavior, whose preferred distance probably is 6 1/2 furlongs on the hill, and second-level allowance winner English Dancer.

Then there is likely pacesetter Fahan Mura, a $40,000 claim who became a graded winner in California. Trainer Vladimir Cerin visualized the ideal scenario: “Go the half in 47 and four, and be six in front. That’s not going to happen.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Vasilika, by Skipshot
Last 3 Beyers: 94-96-102

◗ Ward on her strength: “She’s tactical enough to guarantee herself a good trip, and she runs the last sixteenth.”

◗ Her rider is Flavien Prat, whose nine stakes wins lead the meet.

Elysea’s World, by Champs Elysees
Last 3 Beyers: 87-94-96

◗ She was purchased at the Keeneland November sale. Joel Rosario has worked her and rides her Saturday. Rosario entered the week as the meet’s leading rider by wins.

Take These Chains, by Fastnet Rock
Last 3 Beyers: 82-88-82

◗ Brad Cox trains the 4-for-6 allowance winner, who was to arrive from Fair Grounds on Thursday. Tiago Pereira rides.

Fahan Mura, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 49-95-82

◗ Her only start this year was a last-place finish Jan. 26 in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational. Nonetheless, Fahan Mura earned $350,000 and ranks 13th on the 2019 earnings list. Edwin Maldonado rides.