Bast Looks for Back-to-Back Grade 1s in Chandelier Stakes

A field of six fillies is set to go this Friday in the Chandelier Stakes (G1) on Santa Anita Park’s opening day. The race, which serves as a key “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), has a few potential future stars signed on to run.

Leading the way is the Bob Baffert-trained Bast, who is coming off of a dominating performance last time out in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1). The filly by Uncle Mo went into the Debutante as a maiden, but she was able to win by 8 3/4 lengths over Inspiressa, who defeated her in Bast’s debut. Lazy Daisy, the fourth-place finisher in the Debutante, won the Pocahontas Stakes (G3) – another Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” – at Churchill Downs in her next start. That speaks to the strength of the Debutante and makes Bast look very strong going into this spot.

The winner of the Chandelier Stakes will receive an automatic position in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) this fall at Santa Anita Park. Pre-entry and entry fees will be paid and a nominator award of $10,000 will be given to the nominating person. Also, all Breeders’ Cup starters based outside of the state of California will receive a travel allowance of $10,000 if based in North America and $40,000 if based Internationally.

Here is a look at the full field:

#1 Been Studying Her – It’s time for this California-bred to take on open company after winning two straight to kick off her career. The first came in a maiden special weight at Sacramento, then she shipped to Del Mar to win the Generous Portion Stakes by over a length. Mike Smith will have the mount for the second straight time, adding to this filly’s appeal.

 #2 K P Dreamin – This filly was a well-beaten fourth on debut in what ended up being the toughest maiden special weight for fillies all season. Inspiressa and Bast, the top two finishers, finished 1-2 in the Del Mar Debutante next time out. As for K P Dreamin, she broke her maiden at second asking by 1 1/4 lengths while going two turns in a Del Mar maiden special weight. 

 #3 Comical – She was an early bloomer this season, winning a maiden special weight here back in May. She turned that into stakes success next time out, shipping to Saratoga to take home the Schuylerville Stakes (G3). She’s raced twice more, finishing sixth in the Sorrento Stakes (G2) and third in the Del Mar Debutante. She has an experience edge over her rivals.

 #4 Bast – Bob Baffert may have another monster on his hands with Bast, who broke her maiden last time out by over 8 lengths in the Del Mar Debutante. She lost to Inspiressa on debut but was able to turn the tables on that rival last time out. She seems to be the major standout in this spot, and a win could mean becoming an overwhelming favorite at the Breeders’ Cup.

#5 Buyer’s Remorse – We’ll see if this maiden can jump up to stakes company with success in this difficult spot. She finished second in her only start, a Del Mar maiden special weight on August 18. The winner, Stellar Sound, is highly-regarded, and her sire, Liam’s Map, has been hot with 2-year-olds, so this filly could improve in her second start.

#6 Leucothea – After finishing eighth in the Del Mar Debutante last time out, she’s back to try stakes company again. Two races back, she was an impressive winner at Del Mar, but that came in a maiden claiming event. That leaves her with some proving to do against tougher company here.

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The Chandelier Stakes serves as one of seven Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events this weekend at Santa Anita Park and Belmont Park. Here is the full schedule for this coming weekend:

• Friday: The Chandelier Stakes (Juvenile Fillies) at Santa Anita Park
• Friday: The American Pharoah Stakes (TVG Juvenile) at Santa Anita Park
• Saturday: The Jockey Club Gold Cup (Longines Classic) at Belmont Park
• Saturday: The Vosburgh Stakes (Sprint) at Belmont Park
• Saturday: The Awesome Again Stakes (Longines Classic) at Santa Anita Park
• Saturday: The Rodeo Drive Stakes (Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf) at Santa Anita Park
• Sunday: The Zenyatta Stakes (Longines Distaff) at Santa Anita Park

The American-based Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” events continue next weekend with an eye-popping 16 events, starting Friday at Keeneland on the Lexington track’s opening day. The Action will continue throughout the country on Saturday and Sunday, with more races from Keeneland, Belmont Park, and Santa Anita Park.