Sandiva Tackles My Conquestadory in U.S. Bow

Dual group III winner Sandiva, last seen finishing fifth in the Coronation Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot one month ago, makes her first United States start in the $200,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) July 19 at Del Mar.



To be saddled by Mike McCarthy for owner Al Shaqab Racing, Sandiva is among a dozen 3-year-old fillies entered in the San Clemente, a one-mile turf stakes that serves as a prep for the Aug. 16 Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT). The San Clemente is race 9 on the Saturday program with a 6 p.m. PDT scheduled post.



The Irish-bred Sandiva, who shows no local workouts, last won April 16 at Newmarket for trainer Richard Fahey when she prevailed by half a length as the favorite in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes (Eng-III) at seven furlongs. That win propelled the daughter of Footstepsinthesand into the Qipco One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) at one mile May 4, where she was no threat while finishing ninth.



In her most recent start in the one-mile Coronation June 20, Sandiva ran fifth in the field of 12 3-year-old fillies, beaten by 2 1/2 lengths by the top-notch Rizeena. The chestnut filly has won four of eight lifetime starts in England, Ireland, and France, earning $209,080.



Martin Garcia grabs the mount on Sandiva, assigned 121 pounds in the San Clemente. They break from post 7.



My Conquestadory is the 122-pound highweight as she ships in from Woodbine for Mark Casse after being scratched out of the Belmont Oaks Invitational (gr. IT) July 5.



Conquest Stable's Artie Schiller   miss ran fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) last fall at Santa Anita Park. She has started just once since then, missing by a nose after setting the pace in the Selene Stakes (Can-IIIT) over the Woodbine Polytrack May 18.

My Conquestadory began her career in outstanding fashion, beating males in the one-mile Summer Stakes (Can-IIT) in her debut last September at Woodbine by 3 1/4 lengths. She then captured the Darley Alcibiades (gr. I) by nearly two at Keeneland prior to the Breeders' Cup.



Diversy Harbor came from far back to get up for second behind Room Service in the American Oaks (gr. IT) at Santa Anita May 31 and fits well here for trainer Tom Proctor. The Glen Hill Farm filly has dropped three straight since winning the China Doll in March but has been close in all three. Mike Smith, who allowed the daughter of Curlin   to drop 14 lengths out of it in the 10-furlong American Oaks and then brought her home with a rush, is back aboard from post 4.



Sheza Smoke Show surprised the field in Santa Anita's Senorita Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 28, coming from mid-pack to tally by 1 1/4 lengths at odds of 10-1. Trained by Peter Eurton, the Wilko filly has won three of her past four starts. Joe Talamo retains the mount.



Istanford defeated males in the Arlington Classic (gr. III) in front-running style two starts back on the grass at Arlington International Racecourse May 24. The Mike Stidham trainee showed speed and weakened from between horses in her most recent try against her own sex in the Regret Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 14 at Churchill Downs, finishing seventh of eight. Rafael Bejarano draws the assignment from post 8.



Tiz the Key forced the issue in the American Oaks before fading to fourth for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. Morning Fix, from the Jerry Hollendorfer barn, showed interest to get third in the Senorita, her graded stakes bow. Tiz Kissable ships south off an allowance/optional claiming win for trainer Tim McCanna over the Golden Gate Fields turf June 1.

 

[raceEntries date="7/19/2014" country="USA" trackid="DMR" racenumber="9"]