Vibrance expected to improve in Tranquility Lake Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Vibrance was a moderate fourth on turf in her first start last year, then leaped forward second time out to win going a mile on the main track at Del Mar. The stakes are higher Friday, but her trainer, Michael McCarthy, is hoping for a similar result when Vibrance makes her second start following a lengthy layoff in the $85,000 Tranquility Lake.

Vibrance was a 5 1/4-length winner against maidens here last summer in her second start – improving 19 points (56 to 75) off her debut Beyer Speed Figure. It was a preview of coming attractions. She subsequently was second in the Grade 1 Chandelier and third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies before getting time off following a last-place finish in the Grade 1 Starlet.

Her current form cycle began July 27, when she was fourth in a one-mile grass race against allowance company, earning a Beyer of 74. She moves back to the dirt Friday, but will be facing older runners in a stakes race for the first time.

“We thought about running her in the Torrey Pines last weekend,” McCarthy said of a race that is restricted to 3-year-old fillies, “but we thought the extra week would help.

“She ran a good race last time off an abbreviated work schedule.”

Vibrance on Friday will be ridden by the meet’s leading rider, Flavien Prat.

She is the only 3-year-old filly in the six-horse field, and the only horse in the race who still has a first-level allowance condition. She does have a stalking style that should trip out well based on the projected pace.

Several of her rivals are stakes veterans, including Yuvetsi, winner of the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo here last summer. Her two races this year have been well below her best.

John Sadler and primary owners Hronis Racing, who campaign Yuvetsi, are doubling up with Lady Suebee, who will try two turns for the first time since being moved to Sadler’s barn. She is winless this year, but had plenty of trouble in her last race and can improve.

Just a Smidge is winless in five starts since beating a second-level allowance field in February at Santa Anita, but has proven she can be dangerous if she gets loose on the lead. The speedy Yuvetsi compromises her chances, though.

Kaydetre won a first-level allowance last time on July 26, her first start on this main track. Her Beyer of 83 is the best last-out fig in this race.

Zusha was fifth in the Rancho Bernardo last time out, following a first-level allowance win.

The Tranquility Lake is race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific. It is named for the two-time, Grade 1-winning mare who raced on this circuit 20 years ago.