Mandella expects Distaff winner Beholder to race next year
Arcadia (United States) (AFP) - Beholder, the three-year-old filly who ended Royal Delta's two-year reign in the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Friday, is likely to keep racing in 2014, trainer Richard Mandella said Saturday.
Mandella said that was the indication he had from what owner and breeder B. Wayne Hughes said in the wake of the filly's impressive 4 1/4-length triumph in the $2 million Distaff -- in which two-time defending champion Royal Delta was relegated to fourth.
"That's plenty fine with me," Mandella said. "I'm sure we'll give her a rest now. I'll have her checked out from top to bottom, have her scanned and all. But I don't expect any problems. She's a very sound filly and she's always done well."
Mandella said he had a quiet night Friday -- and enjoyed taking a look at the video of the race -- especially the moment when Beholder, ridden by veteran jockey Gary Stevens, burst past early pace-setter Authenticity.
"Gary had a hold on her and she was just cruising," he said. "Then I saw him reach and take another hold and ? even though he had ? she just went on by that other filly. When I saw that, I said 'Oh, boy.'"
European-trained Outstrip, Chriselliam and London Bridge -- all winners on Friday as the two-day, $27 million Breeders' Cup opened with five races, were reported to be in great shape Saturday.
Juvenile Turf victor Outstrip, who gave trainer Charlie Appleby his first Breeders' Cup win with his first World Championships runner, will now winter in Newmarket before being aimed at the first colts classic of 2014, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May.
Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager was thrilled by the performance Friday and said, "We will aim him at all of the top mile races next season the 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes are the ones we are thinking about at the moment. It is a very exciting time for us as he is a homebred."
Willie Carson and partners' Chriselliam also gave trainer Charlie Hills his first Breeders' Cup win, which his father Barry never was able to achieve, when winning the Juvenile Fillies Turf. She will be aimed at the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket next May.
"This has put the icing on the cake for what has been a good year," Hills said. "I am looking forward to getting her home and getting her ready for next year's 1000 Guineas."
London Bridge, who adapted to the unfamiliar dirt surface and outstayed the rest of the field to win the Breeders Cup Marathon, and who was sold prior to Friday's races, will be sent to race in Australia.
Saturday's nine races -- set to be held under a dazzling Southern California sun at the picturesque Santa Anita circuit northeast of Los Angeles, were highlighted by the $5 million Classic.
