Beau Recall takes class drop to head Las Cienegas Stakes

Competitive in four consecutive Grade I stakes going two turns on grass, classy Beau Recall takes a big drop in class as she heads a field of nine older fillies and mares in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course.

In addition to Beau Recall, Claiborne Farm’s homebred Bendable, a winner of the Grade III Desert Stormer Stakes going six furlongs on dirt here three starts back on June 18, will try turf for the first time in the Las Cienegas merits serious consideration and will be reunited with Mike Smith.

A pair of comebackers, the Jeff Mullins-conditioned Anita Partner and the Bill Morey-trained Coniah have solid sprint credentials and loom dangerous off the bench.

Owner: Slam Dunk Racing or Medallion Racing Trainer: Simon Callaghan

Most recently fifth, beaten 3 ½ lengths going a mile and a quarter on turf in Santa Anita’s Grade I American Oaks on Dec. 30, this 4-year-old Irish-bred filly was second, beaten a nose three starts back in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks Aug. 19 and would appear to hold a decided class edge on her competition as she tries Santa Anita unique downhill turf course for the first time. A 1 ½ length allowance winner in her U.S. debut going a mile on turf eight starts back in January, 2017, Beau Recall has been winless in her seven subsequent races while keeping top class company. Ridden by Joe Talamo in seven of her eight stateside starts for Callaghan, she’ll get the services of Corey Nakatani Saturday.

Owner: Claiborne Farm Trainer: Richard Mandella

Most recently fourth, beaten 4 ½ lengths in the Grade II Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 7, she has an impressive main track resume of 8-4-1-2, with earnings of $236,500. A 5-year—old mare by Horse Greeley out of the Arch mare, Bend, she’ll likely show good speed in her turf debut. “I think she has the breeding for grass,” said Mandella on Sunday. “A few horses in her family have liked it, so I think it will be interesting to try. You never know if you don’t try.” Ridden by Javier Castellano at Keeneland, she’ll be ridden by “Big Money” Mike Smith, who guided her to a third place finish in the Grade III Rancho Bernardo Handicap two starts back and who won with her here in the Desert Stormer last June.

Owner: Alvin Wong and John Stavropoulos Trainer: Jeff Mullins

Idle since fourth at 5-2 in the five furlong turf Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar Aug. 4, this 6-year-old Irish-bred mare was a close third down the hillside turf three starts back in the Grade II Monrovia Stakes on May 27 and is a solid 5-2-1-2 down the hill overall. A potential candidate for retirement should she notch her first-ever graded stakes score, Anita Partner is 15-4-2-2 lifetime and will be ridden by Tyler Baze, who’s managed three wins from five tries with her.

Owner: James and Tammy McKenney Trainer: William Morey

A troubled second to Bendable in the Grade III Desert Stormer Stakes here June 18, this 5-year-old California-bred mare by Harlington was a close second over the course two starts back in the Grade II Monrovia Stakes May 27, a race in which she earned a career-best 97 Beyer Speed figure. Graded stakes place on four occasions, she’s been second in both of her hillside attempts and will seek her first stakes victory in what will be her 20th career start on Saturday. Bred in California by her owners, Coniah has banked $235,365 and has three wins, five seconds and three thirds overall.

THE GRADE III LAS CIENEGAS STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 7 of 9 Approximate post time 3:30 p.m. PT

1.  Coniah – Kent Desormeaux - 120

2.  Bendable—Mike Smith—122

3.  Angel Allie – Evin Roman – 120

4.  Princess Princess – Tyler Conner – 120

5.  Miss Southern Miss – Drayden Van Dyke – 120

6.  Anita Partner – Tyler Baze – 120

7.  Proper Discretion – Flavien Prat – 122

8.  Instant Reflex – Victor Espinoza – 120

9.  Beau Recall – Corey Nakatani - 120

First post time for a nine-race card Saturday is at 12:30 p.m.