There were a number of standout performances last weekend all over the good ole U. S. of A. But we felt it most appropriate to highlight the magnificent Beholder, who we’ll see just one more time before she heads off to her second career as a broodmare.
That final start will come in the Breeders’ Cup, an event Beholder is well-acquainted with. She earned her very first stakes victory in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and then held that top form throughout her sophomore season. As a three-year-old in 2013 the Richard Mandella-trained lass rolled through the Las Virgenes S. (G1) and the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) en route to a tough-luck loss in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). She was a close second that day to Princess of Sylmar but took her revenge on that one later in the year. Beholder was smooth as silk as she cruised to a 4 1/4-length win over multiple Grade 1 winner Close Hatches in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff with multiple champion Royal Delta and Princess of Sylmar farther back. Her victory was a historic one as she became the first filly to win both the Juvenile Fillies and the Distaff.
Beholder is taking the similar path back to this year’s Breeders’ Cup, having prepped with a repeat win in Saturday’s Zenyatta Stakes (G1) (formerly the Lady’s Secret Stakes). She’ll likely face a streaking Close Hatches again in her bid to etch her name deeper into the Breeders’ Cup history books. Close Hatches, of course, defeated a troubled Beholder in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) on Belmont Stakes Day. Beholder ‘grabbed a quarter’ during the race and wasn’t 100% and we’ll find out in four weeks time if Beholder can avenge that defeat just as she avenged Princess of Sylmar last year.
Only Royal Delta and Bayakoa have won back-to-back editions of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Should Beholder join that club she’ll find herself not only in the winner’s circle but squarely in the Hall of Fame as well (if she hasn’t earned her way in already). Win, lose or dead heat, Beholder goes through the ring at the November 3 Fasig-Tipton November Breeding Stock sale. She’ll certainly set off some fireworks there, just as she has in her three years on the racetrack.
-originally published at http://www.myfantasystable.com
Matt O'Neil Consulting 