Cordiality back with friends

DEL MAR, Calif. – The last time Cordiality ran in a onemile grass stakes against fellow California-bred females she won, and she’ll be seeking a similar result when she faces eight rivals under those conditions Friday in the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes at Del Mar.

Cordiality captured the Fran’s Valentine Stakes against statebreds in her race before last on May 19, then last time out June 24 was a good third against graded company in the Wilshire, with both those races at Santa Anita. She returns to Del Mar, where she has finished first or second in 3 of 4 starts on this grass course.

“She does well down here, this mare,” Mark Glatt, who trains Cordiality, said at his barn. “A lot of horses seem to enjoy getting out of the heat we had at Santa Anita.

“She should be tough against these. Her last race she was competitive against graded stakes horses.”

Cordiality drew the outside post, but she could fall into a good spot. She likes to sit just off the pace, and there should be some pace in here, what with the likes of Princess Roi and perhaps Queen Bee to You going to the front, with the latter stretching out after a pair of turf sprints.

“I don’t know that nine is the greatest post, but it’s not the worst,” Glatt said. “She is tactical.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Cordiality, by Papa Clem Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-85

◗ She comes off a career-best Beyer Speed Figure and seems Bet Del Mar with DRF Bets: drfbets.com

to be in the best form of her life.

◗ Tyler Baze has ridden her in eight of her last 10 starts and is back aboard Friday. Baze tied for the lead among local riders last week with six victories.

Princess Roi, by Roi Charmant Last 3 Beyers: 77-72-76

◗ She set a sharp pace and then faded in an open first-level allowance last time, but that was her first start in more than 15 months, so she has a right to improve.

Queen Bee to You, by Old Topper Last 3 Beyers: 75-83-69

◗ She did not have the cleanest of trips in a five-furlong turf sprint here July 22. ◗ Flavien Prat rides.

Lynne’s Legacy, by Unusual Heat Last 3 Beyers: 87-83-84

◗ She won her first two starts after being claimed by her current connections and then was seventh last time out in the Osunitas on a day when it was challenging to make up ground.

Moonless Sky, Bold Chieftain Last 3 Beyers: 81-83-68

◗ Second in this race last year, she had a rough trip when eighth behind Cordiality in the Fran’s Valentine.

Cheekaboo, by Unusual Heat Last 3 Beyers: 84-82-80

◗ She was third in the Fran’s Valentine when making her first start in nearly one year and followed that up with good efforts in open second-level allowance races.