Vasilika targeting Rodeo Drive Stakes

Vasilika is expected to have her Grade 1 debut in the $300,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita on Sept. 29 after winning her sixth consecutive race in the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes at Del Mar last Saturday.

The Rodeo Drive Stakes is run at 1 1/4 miles on turf and is a key prep for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer stopped short of calling the BC Filly and Mare Turf a goal for Vasilika, but the $2 million race is in his thoughts.

“I hate to predict that, but if she continues to improve like she is improving, she could end up in some good spots,” Hollendorfer said. “I don’t think distance will be a problem.”

Vasilika, owned by Hollendorfer, All Schlaich Stables, Gatto Racing, and George Todaro, won her graded stakes debut in the $202,070 Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Vasilika, a 4-year-old filly by Skipshot, won a $32,000 claimer at Aqueduct last November, and was claimed by trainer Robert Falcone. For the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, Falcone brought a small stable to California. He lost Vasilika to Hollendorfer in the filly’s first California start.

Vasilika’s winning streak includes two starter handicaps and three allowance races with optional claiming values ranging from $40,000 to $100,000.

Vasilika has earned $291,528 since being claimed.

In June, Vasilika won a starter handicap for claimers on turf rather than run in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes the same weekend.

“We gave her plenty of time to develop because we didn’t overmatch her,” Hollendorfer said.