Vasilika Hits Million-Dollar Mark in Royal Heroine
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photo
Vasilika wins the Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Former claimer turned grade 1 winner Vasilika joined the million-dollar club when she won as she pleased in the April 6 Royal Heroine Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park. The 5-year-old daughter of Skipshot romped home under Flavien Prat, who settled Vasilika closer to the pace than normal, and remained perfect (3-for-3) in 2019.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is considering trying to build on that streak in the $400,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2T) May 4 at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) undercard.
"I talked to Flavien (Prat) a little bit before the race, and I told him, 'If you (want) to do something a little different, I didn't mind,'" Hollendorfer said. "I think he was a little nervous about being back today, so he kept her a little closer, and it worked anyway. She's doing good right now, that's for sure."
Since being claimed for $40,000 by Hollendorfer in February 2018, Vasilika has won 11 of 13 starts on the West Coast, including five in graded stakes. Her third win of 2019 followed victories in the Jan. 21 Megahertz Stakes (G3T) and Feb. 23 Buena Vista Stakes (G2T), both at Santa Anita. She earned top-level honors in the Sept. 29 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1T), also at Santa Anita.
Ms Bad Behavior broke on top in the Royal Heronie, but Smoovie rushed from the outside post to take command early. As Smoovie opened up the first quarter-mile in :22.99, Ms Bad Behavior appeared to drift out into the first turn and was pulled up by jockey Mike Smith. Smoovie continued to lead through a :46.31 half-mile over Cordiality and Vasilika, the 1-5 favorite. Meal Ticket, Raven's Lady, and Space Talk followed.
Cordiality grabbed the lead approaching the turn for home, and three-quarters went in 1:09.66, but Vasilika was just beginning her three-wide run. Prat turned Vasilika loose, and she pulled clear by 2 3/4 lengths. The final time for the mile was 1:33.53 over firm turf.
"We broke fine at the rail," Prat said. "We changed our strategy when I saw Mike was out of the race on the first turn, and we went to plan B. I can never do anything wrong with this filly. No matter what I do, she covers me. She is definitely something special."
Meal Ticket, Space Talk, Raven's Lady, Cordiality, and Smoovie completed the order of finish.
Ms Bad Behavior walked off the turf course after being pulled up. Smith said she did not bolt heading into the turn.
"I just didn't like the way she was moving," he said. "I'd rather be safe than sorry."
In addition to Hollendorfer, Vasilika is campaigned by All Schlaich Stables, Gatto Racing, and George Todaro. She boasts a 16-4-3 record from 31 starts and has earned $1,058,595 throughout her career.
Vasilika was bred in Kentucky by Mikhail Yanakov. She is out of the Marquetry mare La Belle Marquet and is the only one of six runners to win a stakes race. Vasilika has three full younger siblings, and La Belle Marquet is expected to have another foal sired by Skipshot this year.
"I don't know what caught my eye on this mare," said Todaro, who claimed Vasilika in partnership with Hollendorfer. "I didn't expect this. Some of them work out and some of them don't. That one worked out very well, and I am very pleased. Jerry does a good job at picking out horses that can move up. There are several others like that not as extreme, but he is great."
Hostess With the Mostest
Turf fillies were also featured later as 3-year-olds raced 1 1/8 miles in the Providencia Stakes (G3T). Hostess made her stateside debut a thriller when she nabbed a photo finish over stablemate Maxim Rate, making it an exacta for trainer Simon Callaghan.
Killarney Lass set fractions of :22.99 and :47.06 before Colonial Creed took the lead and led through 1:10.78 and 1:35.23. Maxim Rate and Prat surged from midpack, but Hostess came flying from farther back under Drayden Van Dyke to win by a nose at 25-1. The final time was 1:47.09.
Maxim Rate was another nose in front of third-place finisher Lady Prancealot, followed by Lakerball, Colonial Creed, Truffalino, Miss Flawless, Apache Princess, Ladymidtown, and Killarney Lass.
Owned by Mr J. Warren Stable, Hostess broke her maiden at third asking at Chelmsford City in England before moving to the U.S. The daughter of Iffraaj—Birdie, by Alhaarth, was bred in Great Britain by Highclere Stud and is a half sister to group 3-placed Il Paparazzi and stakes-placed Garcia. She was consigned by Highclere at the 2017 Tatersalls October Yearling Sale but failed to meet her reserve at $103,982. Hostess now has a 2-1-0 record from four starts and $97,761 in earnings.
Video: Royal Heroine S. (G2T)