Calumet's Siberian Iris Showcased in Astra Stakes
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Siberian Iris (outside) rallies to win the CTT and TOC Stakes at Del Mar
Calumet Farm's accomplishments earned the historic Kentucky farm owned by Brad Kelley a position as one of three finalists for outstanding breeder of 2019, an honor to be announced Jan. 23 at the Eclipse Awards ceremony at Gulfstream Park.
Before then, Calumet could be honored in another capacity—this time as a winning owner—if the farm's long-winded Siberian Iris can prevail over six other fillies and mares in the 1 1/2-mile Astra Stakes (G3T) Jan. 19 on turf at Santa Anita Park.
One of only two stakes winners in the race, Siberian Iris is a towering presence for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella at a marathon distance. Though no entrant has won as far as 1 1/2 miles, Siberian Iris has won a three-turn test for stayers, the Aug. 16 CTT and TOC Stakes at 1 3/8 miles on the Del Mar grass.
Video: CTT and TOC S. (BT)
That day she was rated in last, dropping as far back as 14 lengths, before thundering home to win by a neck. She then rallied to be fourth in a paceless Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1T) Sept. 28, beaten 6 3/4 lengths by pacesetting Mirth over 1 1/4 miles on grass.
Siberian Iris has been recording weekly breezes at Santa Anita since Dec. 17 for her first race in 3 1/2 months.
Rafael Bejarano—0-6-6 from 29 rides at the Santa Anita meet through Jan. 17—returns in the irons. He was aboard for her past three races.
Mandella has been hot at the stand that began Dec. 28, going 4-1-2 with 13 starters. Two wins came in stakes—Omaha Beach in the Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1) and Jolie Olimpica in the Las Cienegas Stakes (G3T).
A 6-year-old daughter of Excelebration bred in Ireland by Sahara Group Holdings, Siberian Iris is the leading money-earner in the field with $234,727 and is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line behind Tiny Tina at 9-5.
The latter, beaten a nose by stablemate Mirth in the Dec. 28 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T), returns on three weeks' rest. Though she brings some of the best form into the race, she is not established as a stayer.
Phil D'Amato has largely spotted Tiny Tina in turf races from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles since he began training her in the summer of 2018. The one time she raced beyond that distance came in the 1 3/8-mile Red Carpet Handicap (G3T) at Del Mar, where she was fifth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths. Third in midstretch, she could not match strides with the top finishers.
Many of her better races have come on the Santa Anita grass course, where she is 3-2-3 from 10 starts.
Flavien Prat, aboard for three of her past four wins, is back up, replacing Hall of Famer and East Coast-based jockey Javier Castellano, who rode her when in town for opening day.
A 5-year-old daughter of Paddy O'Prado, Tiny Tina is owned by A. Venneri Racing and Anthony Fanticola.
Completing the field are Lostintranzlation, a likely frontunner; Blue Diva, who won the Miss America Stakes on synthetic at Golden Gate Fields in her first race since being claimed for $25,000; Trust Fund Kitty; Ms Peintour; and Heathers Grey.
Santa Anita Park, Sunday, January 19, 2020, Race 6Entries: Astra S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Lostintranzlation (CA)
Joel Rosario
120
Richard Baltas
4/1
2
2Tiny Tina (KY)
Flavien Prat
120
Philip D'Amato
9/5
3
3Blue Diva (CA)
Abel Cedillo
122
Ari Herbertson
4/1
4
4Trust Fund Kitty (KY)
Assael Espinoza
120
Val Brinkerhoff
20/1
5
5Siberian Iris (IRE)
Rafael Bejarano
122
Richard E. Mandella
5/2
6
6Ms Peintour (KY)
Brice Blanc
120
Brian J. Koriner
8/1
7
7Heathers Grey (KY)
Aaron T. Gryder
120
Sean McCarthy
10/1
