Stellar Wind seeks to snap Vale Dori win streak in Grade 1 Beholder

TSV Staff Selections —-

Stellar Wind (outside) edges Beholder in Clement L. Hirsch; Benoit Photo

A trio of Graded Stakes winning mares, Vale Dori, Stellar Wind and Finest City resume their head-to-head-to-head battles when they face off in the running of the Grade 1 Beholder Mile Stakes; let’s have a look at the field.

Race 8) 1 Mile. Beholder Mile S. Grade I. Purse $400,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDS AND UPWARD. Post Time: 7:37/ 6:37/ 5:37/( 4:37)
ADVANCED FORECAST: Dense Fog, High 82 Low 62

Vale Dori (1), Baffert/Bejarano; mare out of Argentine sire Atlantic Boy goes for her seventh win in a row and sixth straight Graded Stakes victory. 5-year-old could not be in better form, and the stretch run is shaping up as one for the ages.

Stellar Wind (2), Sadler/Espinoza; 4-time Grade 1 winner makes her first start since a cruising score in the G1 Apple Blossom back in April. Bested the rail mare last October in the Grade 1 Zenyatta, and as with that foe, they both have been working lights out for this showdown.

Show Stealer (3), Sherman/Stevens; ran second to Vale Dori in two of her last four starts, and in each case wasn’t going to catch her. Connections would love another place effort in this, but don’t see that happening.

Finest City (4), Kruljac/Smith; reigning Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint champ is the wild card in this. City Zip 5-year-old knows the top two well and has finished behind both over the last year. Obvious concern is the distance, but if a contested speed duel breaks out in front, she’ll pick up the pieces.

Faithfully (5), Baffert/Prat; Baffert trainee is fast, but this Smart Strike filly goes from a gaining second against OC’s to now taking on two of the premier race mares in the world; stranger things have happened.

Selections: 2, 1, 4

Cover Photo: Stellar Wind captures the Grade 1 Apple Blossom; Coady Photography