Hollendorfer's Sneaking Out the one to beat in Santa Anita's Melair
KMN Racing’s highly accomplished homebred Sneaking Out would appear to be a complete standout among a half dozen California-bred or sired 3-year-old fillies going a mile and one sixteenth in Sunday’s $200,000 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita.
The Melair is named for the Millard and Rous homebred daughter of Debonair Roger who was trained by John Sadler and is best known for defeating an outstanding field of males that included eventual Eclipse Champion Snow Chief in the 1986 Silver Screen Handicap at Hollywood Park. The race is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA.
Owner: KMN Racing, LLC
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
On a pressured lead in her first attempt at two turns, this Indian Evening filly dueled gamely through the lane to finish second by a half length as the 4-5 favorite in the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on May 26. A 3/4-length winner vs. open company in the ungraded Angels Flight Stakes going seven furlongs two starts back May 4, she was subsequently disqualified to second, which prevented her from winning her fourth race in a row. With Drayden Van Dyke back in the irons for Hollendorfer, look for Sneaking Out to be a prohibitive favorite in the closing day Melair.
Owner: Reddam Racing, LLC
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
A winner of her last three races, the most recent a 3/4-length triumph in an open first-condition allowance going five furlongs on turf June 8, this homebred daughter of Square Eddie, out of the In Excess mare Too Much Excess, would appear to be the second horse in Sunday’s Melair. A Cal-bred maiden special weight winner three starts back going 5 ½ furlongs on synthetic Tapeta April 20 at Golden Gate Fields, Don’t Sell will be trying two turns and stakes company for the first time and could press the top choice for early supremacy on Sunday.
THE $200,000 MELAIR STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 6 of 10 Approximate post time 3:30 p.m. PT
1. Sneaking Out—Drayden Van Dyke—120
2. Don’t Sell—Mario Gutierrez—120
3. Violette Szabo—Norberto Arroyo, Jr.—120
4. Sedamar—Martin Garcia—120
5. Tiz a Master—Heriberto Figueroa—120
6. Ruby Bradley—Aaron Gryder—120