Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Eclipse Award winner Beholder pressed the
pace and then easily cruised home to win her 2015 debut in Friday’s $75,000
Santa Lucia Stakes at Santa Anita.
Trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, Beholder went off as the 3-10
favorite versus four challengers in the 1 1/16-mile Santa Lucia while making
her first start in six months. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens was aboard the
5-year-old for the first time since last June 7 before he had knee surgery.
Beholder, owned by Spendthrift Farm, pressed pacesetter Uzziel from the
outside but quickly went to the lead around the final turn. The two-time
champion went on to a 3 3/4-length win over 5-1 third pick Uzziel with 26-1
longshot Oscar Party third.
Tiz Midnight was fourth followed by Backintheacademy. The scratches were Gusto
Dolce, Melanistic and Sky Mega.
The time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.54 on a fast track.
Beholder notched her second straight win in the Santa Lucia and earned
$48,300. The mare now has 11 wins from 16 starts for $3,416,600.
Friday’s start was Beholder’s first since winning her second straight Zenyatta
Stakes on Sept. 27 at Santa Anita. She spiked a fever last October that forced
her to be withdrawn from defending her title in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Beholder had been slated to start in Friday’s Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park
but had a disappointing workout last Thursday at Santa Anita and was
supplemented into the Santa Lucia.
Beholder was 2-year-old filly champion of 2012 and 2013 champion 3-year-old
filly with victories in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and 2013
Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Beholder returned $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10. Uzziel paid $3.20 and $2.60, and
Oscar Party paid $3.80 to show.
