Top West Coast Mares Ready for Clement Hirsch

Spendthrift Farm's two-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder and Benjamin Warren's upstart 5-year-old Warren's Veneda will take another run at each other in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 1 at Del Mar, but a proven upsetter looms between the two West Coast standouts.



While Beholder, a six time grade I winner, drew the rail and will carry 121 pounds with jockey Gary Stevens, two spots to her right will be Pamela Ziebarth's homebred My Sweet Addiction, who defeated 1-9 Warren's Veneda in the May 9 Vanity Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.



Both Vanity runners will carry the co-highweight of 123 pounds, with first-time rider Santiago Gonzalez aboard My Sweet Addiction for trainer Marty Jones, and Tyler Baze back in the irons on Warren's Veneda after riding Sunday Rules instead in the Great Lady M Stakes (gr. II) last time out July 11.



In My Sweet Addiction's last start, the 5-year-old daughter of Tiznow   hopped at the start and was eased in the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) June 13 at Churchill Downs, but could be primed for a run in the 1 1/16-mile Hirsch. She's been training steadily at Los Alamitos Race Course since, with a five-furlong breeze most recently in 1:00 3/5, preceded by two four-furlong drills in :49 1/5 and :48 2/5.



As for Beholder—who will surely leave the gate as the favorite after defeating Warren's Veneda in their last meeting in the Adoration Stakes (gr. III) June 13 at Santa Anita—she's been working locally at Del Mar for trainer Richard Mandella. Her last breeze, a four-furlong tuneup July 28, went in :47 4/5, after the mare covered a mile in 1:40 2/5 July 22.



"I think she's fine," Mandella said. "I don't have any excuses going in, anyway. She's in really good shape and is ready to go."



Mandella also had positive words to say about Warren's Veneda and My Sweet Addiction, who defeated his trainee Gas Total in the Vanity. Gas Total went on to win the Osunitas Stakes on opening weekend at Del Mar, July 18.



"She's a fast filly and a nice filly," Mandella said.



Completing the field is Thegirlinthatsong, last a winner in the Jan. 17 La Canada Stakes (gr. II); grade III winner Yahilwa; graded stakes-placed Legacy and My Monet; and allowance winners Honey Ride and Gusto Dolce.