C R K Stable’s Gate To Paradise Rates Big Shot In Grade II, $200,000 Chandelier Stakes

By Mike Willman —-

C R K STABLE’S GATE TO PARADISE RATES BIG SHOT IN GRADE II, $200,000 CHANDELIER STAKES AS JUVENILE FILLIES GO A MILE AND ONE SIXTEENTH

ARCADIA, CA (Oct. 4, 2023)—Although winless in two starts sprinting, C R K Stable’s Gate to Paradise showed marked improvement in her most recent start and her connections are hopeful she’ll continue her ascendancy as she stretches out versus nine rival juvenile fillies at a mile and one sixteenth in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita.

The Chandelier is a Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” Challenge Race Qualifier, with the winner earning a fees-paid berth into the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

Trained by John Shirreffs, Gate to Paradise ran into a buzzsaw going seven furlongs in the Grade I Del Mar Debutante, as she finished third, beaten nine lengths by what appears to be a superstar in the making, the Richard Mandella-trained Tamara, who will train up to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Although she was well beaten, Gate to Paradise earned a respectable 73 Beyer Speed Figure, 10 points better than her debut third place performance versus eight maiden fillies going 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 13.

By Arrogate out of the More Than Ready mare Heart of Paradise, Gate to Paradise sold for $950,000 at an Ocala, FLA 2-year-old in training sale this past March. Given her running style and pedigree, Gate to Paradise gives every indication that she should improve around two turns with Kent Desormeaux back aboard.

While Gate to Paradise improved in her second start, Zedan Racing Stables’ Dua appeared to regress in the Grade III Sorrento Stakes Aug. 12, which followed a promising debut going five furlongs July 22 at Del Mar. Off as the 3-5 favorite first time out, she pressed the pace and prevailed by a half length, earning a 73 Beyer.

Off at 9-5 versus six rivals in the six furlong Sorrento, Dua tired to finish third, beaten 10 ¾ lengths, earning a markedly lower 57 Beyer. Trained by Bob Baffert, Dua, a filly by Arrogate out of the Consolidator mare Attempt to Name, will be ridden for the third consecutive time by Juan Hernandez and could very likely bounce back with a big effort stretching out.

THE GRADE II CHANDELIER WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 3 of 10 Approximate post time 2 p.m. PT

Chatalas—Antonio Fresu—122
Scalable—Mike Smith—122
Pacific Rose—Ramon Vazquez—122
Pink Whitney—Tiago Pereira—122
Autumn Chill—Hector Berrios—122
Gate to Paradise—Kent Desormeaux—122
Dua—Juan Hernandez—122
Laurent—Edwin Maldonado—122
Motet—Edgar Payeras—122
Next Right Thing—Emily Ellingwood–122

First post time for a 10-race card that includes three other stakes, is at 1 p.m. Admission gates will open at 11 a.m.

The Chandelier Stakes will be part of the first-ever Breeders’ Cup Challenge Pick Six, which will combine three races from Keeneland and three from Santa Anita. The wager has a $1 minimum and a player-friendly 15 percent takeout.
About The Stronach Group
The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland).
For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stra