West vs. East in Beholder Mile
By: Laurie Ross, Pedigree Power
Originally called the Vanity Handicap in 1940, and then the Vanity Mile in 2016, the race name was switched in 2017 in honor of four-time champ and Hall of Fame mare Beholder. During her five-year career, Beholder captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and was a two-time heroine of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Beholder captured the Vanety Stakes in 2016.
Spotlighted as Race 8 of 11, the Beholder Mile post time is 3:43 PM PT.
Let’s review the field.
Richi’s Brisnet speed ratings have increased in each start and her late pace figure in the Santa Monica was 103, the highest in the Beholder field. A winner from seven furlongs to 1 1/4 miles in Chile, Richi should handle the extra furlong in the Beholder, but gets her third jockey in as many starts.
Hoosier Philly ships west after a three-way battle to the wire in the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) where she was bested 3/4 length. Although she won the Golden Rod (G2) as a juvenile, the pretty gray mare hasn’t captured another graded stake in her four-year campaign, although she’s captured other blacktype stakes.
The Tom Amoss trainee is always game, is two for two at a mile, and has tactical speed. Yet her speed figures hover in the high 80’s and she’ll need to improve to have a shot at the winner’s circle. Pass.
The lightly raced four-year-old Cavalieri has been conservatively handled by Bob Baffert. She captured her debut at Del Mar last August, and returned to best winners in an optional claiming event at Santa Anite in October. Cavalieri returned three months later and bested Beholder rival Alpha Bella by 1 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/16 mile La Canada (G3). In all, Cavalieri has won her trio of starts by a combined seven lengths, and her speed ratings are in the high 90s. Contender.
Ultimate Authority steps up after playing in the Allowance Optional Claiming ranks. The promising Tim Yakteen filly has finished no worse than fourth in six starts, but one of those four-place finishes was in the Santa Ysabel a month after breaking her maiden.
Ultimate Authority’s last race was her best. Racing wide the entire way, she circled the field and drew off by three lengths. Although her final time for the mile was 1:37.70, she completed her final furlong in 12.66, earning a94 speed rating. Her 98 late pace figure is the second highest in the Beholder field. Ultimate Authority’s weak spot is that she hasn’t managed back-to-back wins, but she’s worth a look for the exotics.
The multiple Grade 2 winner Tarifa ships west for Brad Cox. She’s only been worse than fourth once in ten career starts and was last seen placing second in the Ralls City Stakes (G3) last November after a year long campaign. The pacesetter/presser was fourth in her sole start at a mile but has won from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles. Her Brisnet ratings are in the mid-90s and her late pace figures are competitive with her Beholder rivals.
Tarifa has been logging consistent works at Payson Park in Florida, including a recent trio of five-furlong breezes. She runs well fresh, has won over multiple tracks and gets the services of Mike Smith. Contender.
Alpha Bella was the bridesmaid in her last three starts, all Grade 2 or Grade 3 events. The John Sadler trainee seldom wins and prefers to finish second or third. Her speed figures are competitive, and she scored a 96 in the La Canada (G2) her first start of the year. Alpha Bella has tactical speed and should be included in your exotics.
Analysis
The Beholder Mile could be an East- West showdown between Cavalieri and Tarifa. Cavalieri will play her usual catch-me-if-you-can game while Hoosier Philly and Tarifa may turn on the heat to her outside. Richi, Ultimate Authority and Alpha Bella will be in close pursuit.
Cavalieri has the home track advantage and the recency of a race under her girth. Tarifa is game and she outclasses the rest of this field. Alpha Bella, Richi and Ultimate Authority will pick up the pieces.
3. Cavalieri (9-5)
5. Tarifa (3-1)
4. Ultimate Authority (15-1)
