San Clemente Boasts Tough, Evenly Matched Turf Fillies

Ten extremely evenly matched sophomore fillies are ready to face off July 20 in the $200,000 San Clemente Stakes (G2T) going a flat mile on the turf at Del Mar. The field includes five last-out winners and plenty of fillies who have stakes experience.

Mucho Unusual took the California Cup Oaks two starts back and returned to defeat open company in an allowance optional claimer, both efforts coming at a mile on the Santa Anita Park grass. George Krikorian's runner has the speed to get to the front early and the versatility to sit off the early pace. 

Slam Dunk Racing and James Branham's Maxim Rate figures to be a tough customer, having taken the Senorita Stakes (G3T) in May going a mile as the favorite. She faded late after pressing the pace in the Honeymoon Stakes (G3T) at nine furlongs, so the turn back in distance should benefit her. Over Emphasize ran evenly to finish third in the Honeymoon after a tight trip between horses in the stretch. Her speed figures are moving in the right direction, and she should find a nice stalking spot.

Stillwater Cove, owned by Marcus Stables, ran very well to take the Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga last summer and had the lead in the Natalma Stakes (G1T) before fading late. She was good enough to try the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and was fourth last out in the Soaring Softly Stakes (G3T) at seven panels. She has back class to draw on.

KMN Racing's Apache Princess is another with plenty of stakes experience. She won the Sweet Life Stakes (G3) in an off-the-turf running in February but has regressed since. She would benefit from a hot early tempo because she drops back early and makes a late run. Six-S Racing Stable and Shirley Barron's Devils Dance makes her first foray into stakes company and will stretch out to a mile for the first time. She wired an allowance optional claiming field in a five-furlong grass sprint last out.

Tommy Town Thoroughbreds' Keeper Ofthe Stars draws the rail and carries a three-race win streak into the race, although it has come in lesser company. She should show speed from the rail but has plenty to contend with from the outside. Team Hanley and Bradley Thoroughbreds' Seranitsa checked in fourth last out in the Honeymoon after prompting the early tempo and should improve off that effort.