Warren’s Veneda staying home – for now

ARCADIA, Calif. – Warren’s Veneda, the top female in California, will stay home for her next start, though trainer Craig Lewis will keep travel options open for her. The romping winner March 14 of the Grade 1 Santa Margarita, Warren’s Veneda worked a half-mile Tuesday at Santa Anita, after which Lewis said the Grade 1 Vanity here May 9 was next.

Lewis considered the Grade 1 Apple Blossom on April 10 at Oaklawn Park or the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic on April 18 against males for the next start by Warren’s Veneda but determined, “It’s in her best interest to get a breather and run in the Vanity.”

One reason for skipping the Charles Town race was the presence of Shared Belief.

“That horse is the best horse in America,” Lewis said. “He definitely had an influence.”

Warren’s Veneda “was really full of herself” in her 46.60-second work on Tuesday, Lewis said. “I gave her a couple weeks of light training, then breezed her,” he said.

The two-month break from the Santa Margarita to the Vanity allows Warren’s Veneda a chance to freshen up after winning all three of her starts this winter at Santa Anita. Meanwhile, Lewis admits to exploring possibilities beyond the Vanity.

“Maybe the Ogden Phipps a month later,” Lewis said. “It’s a million dollars.”

The Grade 1, 1 1/16-mile Ogden Phipps is June 6 at Belmont Park on Belmont Stakes Day.

The Vanity also could be an option for Beholder, the two-time champion nearing her first start of the season. Where that comeback takes place has not been determined by trainer Richard Mandella. Meanwhile, Beholder is up to six furlongs in her works.

“She’s doing awfully well,” Mandella said Tuesday. “I’m just trying to figure out how to get her started. I haven’t made up my mind.”

Mandella ruled out the Grade 1, seven-furlong Madison on Saturday at Keeneland, but the Apple Blossom is an option.

Beholder, 10 for 15 with $3,368,300 in earnings, has not started since winning the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes Sept. 27 at Santa Anita. She subsequently got sick and missed the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Beholder is owned by the Spendthrift Farm of B. Wayne Hughes.