Vanity Mile Preview: Beholder vs. Stellar Wind and Taris

Likely Winners

#2 Beholder – It was great to see the champion back in action early this month at Santa Anita in what was basically a paid workout.  Today…she’ll have to do some running.  Taris and Stellar Wind are quality horses that can give her a challenge, but lets face it if she runs her race today they have no shot.  Earlier in her career you could hope she might get involved in a speed dual that might wear her down, but not so much anymore as she’s shown countless times she can sit off the pace.  Extremely excited to watch her run, but even more excited that this beast may have to show us more than just a gallop in this race.

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Exotic Plays

#4 Taris – Last time out at Churchill Downs in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff she could not have been more impressive!  I am not one that has been in love with her from day one like many, but her win in that race was perhaps the best race of her career.  She wheels back here in a logical spot considering the race is at a mile and I believe a mile or less is where she’s at her best.  The 0nly problem…Beholder awaits her in this spot.  Taris will make the champion run in this race, but in the end I’m not sure any horse (male or female) can match up with the great Beholder.

#1 Stellar Wind – Words can’t describe how exciting I am to see her back in action in this one, and words also can’t describe how heartbroken I was when she just barely last the Breeders Cup Distaff last year.  That race will always be a tough one to get over as both the Dudes liked this horse very early in the year.  The most exciting part of Stellar Wind’s return is probably the fact that she is by Curlin, and Curlin babies tend to improve with age much like he did.  She certainly will to improve a ton to compete with Beholder, and at this distance off of a layoff Taris will be tough to contend with too.  I do not believe today is the day for Stellar Wind, but it is a great starting off point for her.  Must play underneath.

Party Crashers

NONE – Can’t see anyone pulling an upset of the top three in here.

Throw Outs

#7 Finest City – No offense to any of the throw outs including Finest City who won a nice stakes last time out at Los Alamitos.  As good as she ran that day its still hard to imagine she can run with the top three in this race.

#6 All Star Bub – Finished third to Beholder last time out which was a solid race for her, but there is no way I can see her turning the tables today.

#5 Lost Bus – Ran pretty well at Los Alamitos last time out to finish a close third to Finest City, but once again there is no way she can run with the top three in this race.

#3 Divina Comedia – Just looks to be completely outclassed by everyone else in this race.  Her winning would be one of the biggest upsets in the last 15 years.