Stellar Wind Tops Torrey Pines Field

Hronis Racing's grade I winner Stellar Wind towers over a field of five other 3-year-old fillies in the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 30 at Del Mar.

The Curlin   filly won the Summertime Oaks (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park last time out June 20, but also boasts victories in the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) and Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr. III) this year. Since breaking her maiden in December, the John Sadler trainee's troubled fourth-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) is the only blemish on her record.

BALAN: Stellar Wind Edges 'Tango' in Summertime Oaks

Stellar Wind has been training well at Del Mar recently for the mile Torrey Pines, with five-furlong breezes in 1:00 4/5 and :59 4/5, Aug. 23 and Aug. 16, respectively.

Her main challenger appears to be George Krikorian's undefeated filly Big Book. Lightly-raced, the daughter of Mr. Big   will take a step up into graded competition for the first time after winning the California-bred restricted Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar July 25. She claimed the seven-furlong Fleet Treat by 2 1/4 lengths after a debut victory in May at six furlongs and an allowance win at one mile in June.

Allowance winners Roksana, Rattataptap, Hone In, and Ultimate Holiday complete the field.