Stylishly tries out for Ken Maddy Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stylishly ran two remarkably similar races to win turf sprints at five furlongs at Del Mar in July and August, closing from off the pace to lead in the final furlong both times.

The wins give Stylishly a leading role in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on Monday. A win by Stylishly could lead to a start for her in the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes at the same distance Nov. 2.

“We’ve got that as a possibility,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “She’d have to win this to take a shot.”

Owned by Arnold Zetcher, Stylishly is part of a field of five in the optional claimer, and is making her third start for Callaghan. Stylishly, 4, was trained by Cherie DeVaux in New York and Florida in 2018 and earlier this year.

Stylishly won a maiden special on July 25, displaying an impressive rally under Drayden Van Dyke. On Aug. 16, Stylishly did the same in a first-condition optional claimer.

“I thought she’d run well,” Callaghan said. “She’s probably progressing.”

The slightly longer distance of Monday’s race is an advantage to Stylishly, he said.

“She looks like she’s just getting going at five-eighths,” Callaghan said.

Four of the five runners in Monday’s seventh race have won turf sprints. Travieza, who is quick enough to set the pace from the outside post, won the Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in September 2018, but is winless in her five subsequent starts.

Travieza was fifth in a race at this level at Del Mar on Aug. 14, her first start since February. Travieza is trained by Doug O’Neill, who also starts Smoovie, the winner of an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 10.

– Steve Andersen

Higher Power following plan

The plan that trainer John Sadler had leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic worked so well with Accelerate last year that he’s doing the same with Higher Power, who had the first of his three works in preparation for the $6 million Classic on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Higher Power turned in his drill only moments after Catalina Cruiser, also trained by Sadler, worked for the Breeders’ Cup, though his race of choice is still to be determined.

Higher Power, third most recently in the Awesome Again following a runaway win in the Pacific Classic, went a half-mile in 47.20 seconds under Sadler’s assistant trainer, former jockey Juan Leyva. He’ll have two more serious works leading up to the Classic on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita, with those works also taking place on Saturdays, just like Sadler did with Accelerate.

“He’ll have three works,” said Sadler, who said that Flavien Prat, who has the mount in the Classic, likely would be aboard for the final two works. “He’ll go longer next week.”

Catalina Cruiser worked a strong six furlongs in 1:12.80.

“Pretty comfortable,” Sadler remarked as Catalina Cruiser effortlessly flashed past the finish line under exercise rider Serafio Figueroa.

Catalina Cruiser has not raced since winning the Pat O’Brien at Del Mar on Aug. 24. This was his fifth work since that race.

Sadler said he was still “looking at the fields” to decide whether Catalina Cruiser ends up going in the Dirt Mile or the Sprint in the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 2. – Jay Privman

Ollie’s Candy sharp for Distaff

A busy morning for John Sadler-trained Breeders’ Cup candidates continued Saturday when Distaff-bound Ollie’s Candy worked a sharp halfmile at Santa Anita under exercise rider and assistant trainer Juan Leyva. Sadler earlier worked Higher Power (Classic) and Catalina Cruiser (Dirt Mile or Sprint).

Ollie’s Candy worked by herself in 47.20 seconds, a snappy drill that was her first since a better-than-looked third behind Paradise Woods and Secret Spice in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes on Sept. 29.

Sadler said Ollie’s Candy “looked very sharp, very good.”

Pee Wee Reese to BC

Pee Wee Reese was nominated to the $100,000 California Flag Handicap on Oct. 19 at Santa Anita, but trainer Phil D’Amato confirmed Saturday he would skip that Cal-bred race and target the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 2.

Winner of the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes last out and 9-2 second choice on Daily Racing Form’s early line for the Turf Sprint, Pee Wee Reese worked an easy half-mile in 50 seconds Saturday at San Luis Rey Downs.

D’Amato also worked BC Turf candidate Acclimate a halfmile Saturday in 49 seconds. A front-running Grade 2 winner in summer at Del Mar and runner-up last out in the fastpaced Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita, Acclimate probably will set the pace in the BC Turf. – Brad Free