Only a small field, but a high-class renewal nonetheless with only Street Girl dismissed as the likely winner. She found Close Hatches too good last time and the latter is the only horse to beat Princess Of Sylmar this year, although Todd Pletcher's filly has since taken revenge. No doubt some of the prize money for landing a Grade 1 at Belmont last time went towards Princess Of Sylmar's 100,000 dollar supplementary fee, but she may struggle confirming recent running with reigning champion Royal Delta. Bill Mott's mare bids for a famous hat-trick of victories in this though BEHOLDER will have something to say about that. The Juvenile Fillies winner at last year's Breeders' Cup, Richard Mandella's three-year-old beat the re-opposing Authenticity to win the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes here on only her second start since May and she may not have finished improving yet.
Street Girl (USA) 25-1 (8-7) Stumbled, closed, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Close Hatches (8-12) at Philadelphia Park(USA) 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Authenticity (USA) 9-2 (8-7) Bit off rail,willing, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Beholder (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Close Hatches (USA) 16-10fav (8-12) Drifted in, clear, won at Philadelphia Park(USA) 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) in Sep beating Sweet Lulu (8-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Royal Delta (USA) 3-10fav (8-11) 2p,when ready,2nd best, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Princess Of Sylmar (8-8) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Beholder (USA) 16-10fav (8-9) Inside,ridden out, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep beating Authenticity (8-7) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Princess Of Sylmar (USA) 2-1 (8-8) Slip 3p 3/8,hand urged, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep beating Royal Delta (8-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
