I've always liked this mare but until Saturday, I probably underrated her. She's easily the best mate I've seen since Azeri and may prove to ultimately be better than some others I saw before that. Very, very impressive.
I misjudged her too. Didn't think she would get the distance
I was in the same camp.
But i have never seen a move like that in a GR1 race by a horse that i didn't thing that had a chance in the race.
I'm a big fan now!!
I thought she would win, but not like that. No way like that. This was a good field. Perhaps not a great field, but a solid one.
Saturday @ Santa Anita
7th Race. (C9) Vanity Mile (Grade I)
$400,000 Guaranteed
STAKES
Purse $400,000 Guaranteed One Mile
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDS AND UPWARD.
1 STELLAR WIND (L) '12 F 121 Espinoza, V Hronis Racing, LLC John Sadler
2 BEHOLDER (L) '10 M 123 Stevens, G Spendthrift Farm, LLC Richard Mandella
3 DIVINA COMEDIA (FR) (L) '11 M 121 Talamo, J Marsha Naify Simon Callaghan
4 TARIS (L) '11 M 121 Prat, F Magnier, Smth or Tabor Simon Callaghan
5 LOST BUS (L) '12 F 121 Perez, F Terry C. Lovingier Gary Sherlock
6 ALL STAR BUB (L) '12 F 121 Bejarano, R Gatto Racing, LLC, Campbell or Hollendorfer Jerry Hollendorfer
7 FINEST CITY (L) '12 F 121 Baze, T Seltzer Thoroughbreds Ian Kruljac
Ohhh I am torn - do I try to beat her or just sit back and enjoy the race?
This should be a good test for all involved. Beholder is certainly the class but Stellar Wind and Taris are nice fillies too. It'll be a good race for all of them. I think Beholder will win but I can see the case for those who would want to oppose on the off chance that the old champ is not the same as she was.
Interesting fact: The 89 BSF that Beholder got in her last race was the lowest BSF she has EVER earned in a dirt route race.
Taris is in career form right now (or just about at that peak). I'd say she's a bit better around one turn, but she's won at 8.5 at SA against G2 company and since this race was shortened by a furlong she might be able to beat Beholder, if anyone here can. I think Stellar Wind might need a race. Not sure how she normally performs off the layoff.
Beholder looked a little overweight for her comeback so I wouldn't put too much stock into the BSF. From a straight wagering standpoint, if you go against her your banking on her having lost a couple of steps. She's worked her way into my top 5 mares--at least those I've seen. She's fragile, but she's something else when Mandella has her right.
Really looking forward to this race. Must admit I have a soft spot for Lost Bus here - she's been racing well this year, but in over her
head against Beholder and Taris. Going with Beholder for the win over Taris...
WarBiscuit
taris is being pointed for a race against the boys this weekend, have they not decided which they want yet?
Quote from: sweettalk on June 03, 2016, 03:39:29 PM
taris is being pointed for a race against the boys this weekend, have they not decided which they want yet?
They were thinking about entering her in the Triple Bend on June 25th. I would guess if they entered her here they must have chosen the Vanity.
RE: Stellar Wind...
Trainer John Sadler is on a 0-for-50 winless streak (last win 3/9/13) with runners returning from 180+ days layoff.
Brad Free
@BradFree1
Taris will not run G1 Vanity (r7) at Santa Anita, per trainer Simon Callaghan Saturday morn.
Quote from: Flanders on June 03, 2016, 07:38:11 PM
They were thinking about entering her in the Triple Bend on June 25th. I would guess if they entered her here they must have chosen the Vanity.
they could have cross entered her, which appears to be the case. sorry i asked.
Quote from: sweettalk on June 04, 2016, 02:01:46 PM
they could have cross entered her, which appears to be the case. sorry i asked.
No need to be sorry for having asked a question here at TBC Lite.😉 I would guess Taris was entered in the Vanity just in case there was a key scratch. Since that didn't look as though it would happen they decided to go in the Triple Bend and they'll officially enter when entries are taken for that. It doesn't hurt to put your hook in the water. You can always reel it in and cast when the water looks better.
Negative show pool on Beholder opens up at $284K with 23 MTP.
Quote from: sweettalk on June 04, 2016, 02:01:46 PM
they could have cross entered her, which appears to be the case. sorry i asked.
Nothing I said was mean, I just tried to answer your question. As curtis said, they must have entered in the Vanity hoping for a scratch. So it looks like they are indeed going for the Triple Bend in 3 weeks.
100 Beyer Speed figure
Quote from: stark on June 05, 2016, 08:27:41 AM
100 Beyer Speed figure
Just a walk in the patk for her. Wonder if Mandella will put her in the Hirsch again prior to the Pacific Clasdic? I believe the turnaround was only 3 weeks last year, which didn't seem to bother her at all.
I would think it would be a big ask for her enter the Pacific Classic off an 8 furlong prep in early June.
The Clement Hirsch has to be under serious consideration.
Especially, since Stellar Wind, while running a strong race (and passing Beholder on the gallop out which I thought a little humorous because it was obvious Beholder was geared down), would be up for some improvement next out.
Facing California Chrome will be the best horse that Beholder will have faced in her career. Mandela does not want her doing that without her being at her sharpest. I cannot see that being done without one more prep. That said, why not send her in the Gold Cup?
TwinSpires.com @TwinSpires 16h16 hours ago
Richard Mandella: "amazing" #Beholder exited Vanity Mile (G1) win "real good" & now pointing to July 30 Clement L. Hirsch (G1) @DelMarRacing
Quote from: Man o Taz on June 06, 2016, 05:30:27 AM
I would think it would be a big ask for her enter the Pacific Classic off an 8 furlong prep in early June.
The Clement Hirsch has to be under serious consideration.
Especially, since Stellar Wind, while running a strong race (and passing Beholder on the gallop out which I thought a little humorous because it was obvious Beholder was geared down), would be up for some improvement next out.
Facing California Chrome will be the best horse that Beholder will have faced in her career. Mandela does not want her doing that without her being at her sharpest. I cannot see that being done without one more prep. That said, why not send her in the Gold Cup?
I think if the Vanity had still been 9f--now that was a great decision--instead of 8, the Gold Cup formally known as Hollywood, would have been an option. I also think that for Beholder to go in the PC, she'll need to show herself to be in the same form she was last year exiting the Hirsch. If she isn't, I wouldn't be shocked if she didn't make it in the gate for the PC.
Wise words.
I agree. She will be facing what should be a stronger Stellar Wind and with that hopefully some stronger contenders than she faced in last year's edition.
This should give her a prime tune up for the Pacific Classic.
Who knows? Depending upon who California Chrome faces, she could face the stronger field.
After all, as long as Stellar Wind enters there is a G1 winner in the race. Which former G1 is going to enter against California Chrome? I would think any current or former G1 winners would be running in the Gold Cup and then pointing to the Classic with one exception. Firing Line could be an entry in the San Diego to prepare him for the Pacific Classic. It will be an interesting race to watch because Chrome is usually not at his sharpest first race off a lay off (See PA Derby and San Antonio) though this year's San Pasqual he looked pretty good. For Firing Line, though, this could be the chance to beat Chrome if he is ever going to.
Quote from: Man o Taz on June 06, 2016, 01:22:15 PM
Wise words.
I agree. She will be facing what should be a stronger Stellar Wind and with that hopefully some stronger contenders than she faced in last year's edition.
This should give her a prime tune up for the Pacific Classic.
Who knows? Depending upon who California Chrome faces, she could face the stronger field.
After all, as long as Stellar Wind enters there is a G1 winner in the race. Which former G1 is going to enter against California Chrome? I would think any current or former G1 winners would be running in the Gold Cup and then pointing to the Classic with one exception. Firing Line could be an entry in the San Diego to prepare him for the Pacific Classic. It will be an interesting race to watch because Chrome is usually not at his sharpest first race off a lay off (See PA Derby and San Antonio) though this year's San Pasqual he looked pretty good. For Firing Line, though, this could be the chance to beat Chrome if he is ever going to.
When a horse is out for over a year, in this case Firing Line, it's really hard to know what you'll get. Also factoring in whether or not he'll have moved forward through maturation. If he were to come out guns a blazing, for the San Diego, there is a risk he'll bounce in the PC. My guess is he'll be about 90% for the San Diego at best, with the hope he'll tighten the screws coming up to the PC. I also don't love him at 10f but without knowing who will be in against him, I'll shelve that concern for now.
The reason, I think, for shortening the Vanity, was to attract sprinters to go against the middle distance types. All it really attracted was Lost Bus who may need to change her name to
Needs A Bus if she's going to try stretching out again against those types. Stellar Wind was at a huge disadvantage as she really needs 9f for her best trip although she can act well enough at 8.5f. Thus, the race was very predictable with the two classiest horses running one, two. Beholder will have a more formidable foe in Stellar Wind in the Hirsch, if that one goes, but I don't think that is the key in preparing her. Beholder will run her race regardless of who is in with her, now the race shape will play a factor, but she doesn't need several top mares in against her to give her a good prep. Last year she was in what I like to call
run through the bridle form after the Hirsch and going into the PC. She was as good as she could possibly be. The PC field last year were sacrificial lambs with only a peak form Bayern with much chance. Bayern was spent though and she just breezed. Now what is
run through the bridle form? I define it pretty much the way Potter Stewart defined pornography. It's really hard to explain, however I know it when I see it. ;)
Agreed. I did not mean to suggest that Beholder needed a better field to come out of the race in good form for the PC, only that it could be a stronger race. And really it should be given that it is a G1.
Beholder worked 4f this morning, 48:40, 21/57.
Getting ready for the Hirsch at Del Mar.
The great mare looks as good as ever this season - perhaps even better, even though she's now six and has been a champion since she was two. So how does trainer Richard Mandella do it? How has he kept her so fresh year after year? Armed with a notebook and a video camera, Daniel Ross went to his barn to find out. Watch the video*, and read his report here.
https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/unconventional-training-regime-helps-beholder-flourish/
*special note to "cat people" I think you'll enjoy watching Papa Mandella in this one!
Champion females Beholder and Stellar Wind, first and second in the Grade I Vanity Mile on June 4, each worked Sunday at Santa Anita for a possible rematch in the Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on July 30. Beholder went five furlongs in 59 flat for Richard Mandella, while Stellar Wind went the same distance in 1:00.80 for John Sadler, who called the drill "perfect." Said Mandella: "It was a little faster than I wanted, but it was a nice five-eighths."
Would love to see the rematch, but I thought Stellar Wind was heading East for the DelCap.
BEHOLDER has a date lined up with Uncle Mo.