Sweet Charity back for Sadler

A celebratory atmosphere lingered early this week at the Santa Anita stable of trainer John Sadler, even while work needed to be done.

“Everybody’s up, everybody’s a little more smiley,” Sadler said Tuesday morning, less than 72 hours after Accelerate won the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.

Of course, extended revelry does not interfere with the mechanics of operating a stable.

And so, there was Sadler on Tuesday at dawn – checking legs, giving instructions to exercise riders, accepting congratulations from fellow trainers, and planning for the Del Mar autumn season, which begins Friday.

“We get up, we show up, and we’re ready to go,” Sadler said. “It’s reality. This is what we do, even when we don’t win. I’m excited about next year and closing out this year. We want to finish up well.”

Sadler, eighth nationally with more than $8.5 million in earnings this year, is in a good spot. Accelerate soon will return to California to begin training for his career finale in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park. BC Mile runner-up Catapult is aiming to the $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational on the same card and will campaign through 2019.

Graded stakes winner Selcourt, 12th in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint, will return for a 2019 campaign. Platinum Warrior will aim for the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on Dec. 1 at Del Mar following a useful fifthplace comeback last Sunday. Plans for Catalina Cruiser, sixth as the favorite in the BC Dirt Mile, will be clear later this week following a nuclear

In the meantime, Sadler kicks off the four-week Del Mar meet with two borderline contenders Friday in race 5 and a solid contender in the $75,000 Kathryn Crosby Stakes.

Sweet Charity, unraced since February, returns as a leading contender in the one-mile turf stakes for fillies and mares. Owned by Kosta and Pete Hronis, Sweet Charity is one of 13 entered; 12 can start. The field includes Quebec and Way to Versailles, second and third in a restricted stakes last out; second-level allowance winners Gliding By and Psycho Sister; and Pantsonfire.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sweet Charity, by Myboycharlie Last 3 Beyers: 86-87-82 ◗ Her campaign was interrupted by a back problem and small issues. Sadler considered running her last Sunday in the Grade 2 Goldikova but opted for the Kathryn Crosby. “This makes more sense first time back,” Sadler said. “The plan is to bring her back for another season, so this is the kickoff for her campaign. She’s trained very good.”

◗ Sweet Charity, Grade 2-placed and a mare who runs well fresh, drew post 10.

Quebec, by Into Mischief Last 3 Beyers: 96-86-85

◗ Her career-best effort last out, a runner-up finish in a restricted stakes race, was validated when winner Fahan Mura returned to finish second in the Grade 2 Goldikova. Richard Baltas trains Quebec.

Way to Versailles, by Tizway Last 3 Beyers: 96-94-84

◗ She finished third in her California debut for Peter Miller.

Psycho Sister, by Freud Last 3 Beyers: 87-91-89

◗ She set the pace and finished seventh against males last out in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile.