Baffert to Saddle Duo With Potential in Torrey Pines
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Photo: Coady Photography
Merneith trains at Oaklawn Park
The $100,000 Torrey Pines (G3), a one-mile test Aug. 22 for 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar, has drawn a field with some potential mixed in, and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has entered a lightly raced pair that seem to have more to prove.
Baffert's pair includes $600,000 purchase Merneith and Provocation, who has only raced twice.
Merneith, a daughter of American Pharoah and stakes winner Flattermewithroses, was purchased by Narvick International for Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud. After placing second in her first two starts at Santa Anita Park, she romped in a six-furlong maiden test at Oaklawn Park, winning by 10 1/4 lengths April 19. She returned June 6 to place third in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) behind Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) prospects Swiss Skydiver and runner-up Speech.
In two starts since, Merneith finished second and sixth in allowance-level tests at Del Mar.
She will be ridden from the outside post by Victor Espinoza.
To her inside, stablemate Provocation will be ridden by Mike Smith. The Into Mischief filly owned by Speedway Stable doesn't have the experience Merneith has had with just two starts. She won on debut June 21 at Santa Anita, and then came back four weeks later to place third behind fellow Torrey Pines entrant Secret Keeper, who is 2-for-2, and Merneith in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance optional claiming race at Del Mar. Smith has been aboard for both of her starts.
Pam and Marty Wygod's homebred Secret Keeper, trained by Clifford Sise Jr., won her May 25 debut at Santa Anita prior to taking the July 25 test at Del Mar. The Into Mischief filly is a full sister to last year's Torrey Pines third-placed Into Chocolate, who is entered in the $100,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) Aug. 21 at Del Mar.
Secret Keeper drew Post 2 and will have the services of Abel Cedillo.
To her outside is Harvest Moon, a half sister to grade 2 winner and grade 1-placed Californiagoldrush who has won two of three starts, placing third in the other, to date. Trainer Simon Callaghan elected to kick off the Uncle Mo filly's career June 12 in a one-mile allowance optional claiming test on turf at Santa Anita where she finished third. Moved to dirt at Los Alamitos Race Course for her next start, she put away a field of six others by 1 1/2 lengths.
In her third start, Harvest Moon scored by 4 1/4 lengths while traveling the Torrey Pines distance against a field of 3-year-olds and older and coming from off the pace. Flavien Prat, who rode her in her two dirt races, will return Saturday.
Callaghan also entered Paige Anne, who drew the rail and will be ridden by Juan Hernandez.
One of the more experienced in the field, Paige Anne has a record of 2-1-3 in eight starts. She raced five times as a 2-year-old, capping the season with her maiden win at Los Alamitos in December.
In three starts this year, she won her season debut by six lengths at Golden Gate Fields in January. She then placed fourth in the March 8 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita and third in the May 31 California Oaks back at Golden Gate.
Rodolphe Brisset trainee Aurelia Garland placed second in the July 5 Iowa Oaks (G3) at Prairie Meadows in her most recent start and was third in two other efforts this year after breaking her maiden on debut last year. Rounding out the field is the only California-bred in the field, Sheza Girly Girl, who comes into the race off a win in a six-furlong starter allowance Aug. 9 at Del Mar.
Del Mar, Saturday, August 22, 2020, Race 4Entries: Torrey Pines S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Paige Anne (KY)
Juan J. Hernandez
120
Simon Callaghan
12/1
2
2Secret Keeper (KY)
Abel Cedillo
120
Clifford W. Sise, Jr.
7/2
3
3Harvest Moon (KY)
Flavien Prat
120
Simon Callaghan
2/1
4
4Sheza Girly Girl (CA)
Tiago Josue Pereira
120
Steve Knapp
12/1
5
5Aurelia Garland (KY)
UMBERTO RISPOLI
120
Rodolphe Brisset
4/1
6
6Provocation (KY)
Mike E. Smith
120
Bob Baffert
9/2
98
7Merneith (KY)
SCRATCHED
0
UNKNOWN
-
