Sharla Rae Takes on Males in Hollywood Derby

With Sharla Rae seemingly fit and ready to run coming off a 10th place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT), trainer Doug O'Neill had a decision to make on where to run the grade I-winning Afleet Alex   filly during Del Mar's closing weekend.



It was either the Matriarch (gr. IT) against fillies and mares at a less-than-ideal mile distance, or the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) likely against all males, but restricted to 3-year-olds at the same 1 1/8-mile trek over which she won the Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT) this summer.

NOVAK: Sharla Rae Rebounds for Del Mar Oaks Score



Ultimately the trainer felt he was siding with her strengths when he entered the filly in the $300,000 Hollywood Derby, set for Nov. 28 at Del Mar.



"We decided it would be better for a 3-year-old only race and liked the distance instead of a mile," O'Neill said. "And she likes Del Mar, so we're feeling good about it."



Sharla Rae—owned by Brous Stable, Gary Barber, and Wachtel Stable—broke through in the Del Mar Oaks for her first graded score, but was outkicked when she finished fifth in the ensuing Rodeo Drive (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park and tired after stalking the early pace during her Breeders' Cup effort at Keeneland.



Since returning home to Southern California, however, O'Neill said his filly is giving every indication she's ready for a big run. She's worked three times since the Breeders' Cup—at Santa Anita for the first two, then Del Mar for her last Nov. 22 (four furlongs in :48 1/5)—and has improved her time with each.



"It's hard to gauge, but they talk to you in how they're eating," the trainer said. "She's eating great and her energy level is great when she's working, so we'll see."



Choosing the Hollywood Derby won't necessarily mean an easier task for the filly, either. K.B. Sareen's Om, riding back-to-back scores in the Twilight Derby (gr. IIT) and Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT), should dictate the pace once again Saturday and has proven tough to pass.

BALAN: Om Never in Doubt in Twilight Score



The only other graded winner in the field is Robert LaPenta's March, one of four shipping west from the barn of Chad Brown, along with graded stakes-placed runners Money Multiplier, Offering Plan, and Fundamental.



March, a Blame   colt, finished fourth last time out in the mile English Channel Stakes at Belmont Park—which was won by Offering Plan—but won the Woody Stephens (gr. II) and Bay Shore (gr. III) over dirt earlier this year.

MITCHELL: March Wins Woody Stephens by a Nose



Other potential contenders include Mister Brightside, who hopped at the start but was still able to finish second last time out in the Twilight Derby; Crittenden, winner of the Let It Ride Stakes Oct. 31 at Del Mar; Closing Bell, a Tapit   colt from the Bill Mott barn who won two back in the Dueling Grounds Derby Derby at Kentucky Downs Sept. 14; and also-eligible Acceptance, a two-time stakes winner over dirt who set the pace and finished a game second to Crittenden in the Let It Ride, his turf debut coming off a more than nine-month layoff.