Bast Headlines Chandelier Field

ARCADIA, CA – Trainer Bob Baffert’s Bast headlines a short but stout list of runners in Friday’s $300,000 Chandelier Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. The Chandelier is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” for the Juvenile Fillies.

After finishing second on debut at Del Mar on August 11, Bast returned 20 days later to win the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) by 8 3/4 lengths. The 1 1/16-mile Chandelier will be the first two-turn test for the daughter of Uncle Mo. Hall of Famer John Velazquez will be aboard for the first time because regular rider Drayden Van Dyke is still recovering from an injury.

The lone runner entering with route experience is K P Dreamin, the Jeff Mullins-trained filly who debuted in the same race as Bast, finishing fourth. Her second start was a one-mile maiden special weight at Del Mar that she won by 1 1/4 lengths under Ruben Fuentes, who retains the mount.

The classiest filly entering Friday’s gate will be Comical, who won the Schuylerville Stakes (G3) at Saratoga in July. The daughter of Into Mischief returned to California and finished sixth in the Sorrento Stakes (G2) and third in the Debutante. Abel Cedillo will ride in search of his second graded score this month after piloting Lazy Daisy in the Pocahontas Stakes (G2).

Here is the full field for the Chandelier: