Beholder Sets the Stage
After her workmanlike victory in last weekend’s Zenyatta Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita, Beholder appears to be on a three-way collision course with Close Hatches and Untapable in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Halloween evening. Attempting to become the 2nd horse to win 3 Breeders’ Cup races, Beholder made her first trip to the races since June a winning one by grinding out a 3/4-length win over Tiz Midnight, while racing three wide throughout. Beholder earned a 99 Beyer Speed Figure for her effort, in which she covered 49 feet more than the runner up, and 48 feet more than 3rd place finisher, Iotapa.
The Zenyatta was expected to be a match race between Beholder and Iotapa, but when the latter broke slowly she was taken out of her front-running game plan and was forced to rate, while appearing to fight jockey Joe Talamo. Beholder appeared on her way to an easy victory after taking over at the top of the stretch and opening up a 2-length lead, but the runner-up, who set the early pace, battled back in the last 70 yards to close the gap.
Beholder’s jockey (Mike Smith) and trainer (Richard Mandella) both admitted the 4-year-old daughter of Henny Hughes was not 100-percent for the Zenyatta, but the race should be a perfect stepping stone to build from heading to the Distaff. “I couldn’t be happier to have her back like this, and this race ought to put her ready to go for the Breeders’ Cup,” said Mandella. The victory moves Beholder’s record to 8 wins and a second from nine starts at Santa Anita.
Though it appears the Distaff will be settled by one of the big three, Belle Gallantey tried to throw her hat into the ring with a dominating 8 1/4-length score in the Beldame (G1) last Saturday at Belmont. Belle Gallantey duplicated her July victory in the Delaware Handicap (G1) by going to the front early, setting a slow pace and turning back her competition down the stretch. Claimed for $35,000 last December by Michael Dubb, Gary Aisquith and Bethlehem Stables, Belle Gallantey has earned $1.1 million in her career after the $240,000 payday for winning the Beldame.
Belle Gallantey earned a 103 Beyer in the Beldame, but do not expect her to get the same front-running trip in the Distaff, as it appears there will plenty of early pace signed on.
This weekend Keeneland Race Course will host the last Breeders’ Cup Win And You’re In qualifying race for the Distaff division on Sunday with the Spinster Stakes (G1). Divisional leader, Close Hatches is expected to make her final prep in this spot. Look for Kentucky mainstays Don’t Tell Sophia and Molly Morgan to pose the biggest threat.