American Cleopatra, Champagne Room renew acquaintances in Chandelier

Separated by just a nose when last they met, American Cleopatra, a full sister to 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, will renew acquaintances with Champagne Room in Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita. The final major steppingstone to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 5, the Chandelier attracted a wide open field of 12 on Saturday.

AMERICAN CLEOPATRA:  Like American Pharoah, she’s a Zayat Stables homebred and is also trained by Bob Baffert.  An impressive two length maiden special weight winner under Stewart Elliott going 5 ½ furlongs on July 31, she was second as the 8-5 favorite with Rafael Bejarano in the Grade I, seven furlong Del Mar Debutante Sept. 3, finishing a nose in front of Champagne Room.  She’ll be reunited with Elliott on Saturday as she tackles two turns for the first time in her third career start.

CHAMPAGNE ROOM:  Trained by Peter Eurton and owned by Sharon Alesia, Ciaglia Racing, LLC or Exline-Border, LLC and partners, this Kentucky-bred daughter of Broken Vow broke her maiden in the Grade II, 6 ½ furlong Sorrento Stakes two starts back with Mario Gutierrez up, who has ridden her in all three career starts.  She’ll go a route of ground for the first time Saturday with Mike Smith at the controls.

Race 10 (of 11)  Approximate post time 5 p.m. PST

1.    With Honors—Flavien Prat—122

2.    Noted and Quoted—Rafael Bejarano—122

3.    Champagne Room—Mike Smith—122

4.    Zapperkat—Norberto Arroyo—122

5.    American Cleopatra—Stewart Elliott—122

6.    Bitzka—Tyler Baze—122

7.    Datz a Violation—Martin Pedroza-122

8.    Mistressofthenight—Kent Desormeaux—122

9.    Princess Coco—Victor Espinoza—122

10.  Lake Time—Gary Stevens—122

11.  Nikki My Darling—Drayden Van Dyke—122

12.  Demigoddess—Brandon Boulanger—122