ARCADIA, Calif. – Separated by less than two lengths when last they met, a trio of talented 2-year-old fillies, headed by Irish-bred Helens Well, figure prominently among a field of 11 going one mile on turf in Sunday’s $200,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita.
Trained by Phil D’Amato, Helens Well was taken in-hand out of the gate in Del Mar’s Juvenile Fillies Turf at one mile and rallied well late to just miss by a head to longshot Liam’s Dove as the 3-1 favorite in a field of 11. A one-mile turf maiden winner two starts back on Aug. 15, Helens Well, who will be ridden back by Flavien Prat, is a deep closer who would certainly appreciate a realistic early pace. Owned by the Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Michael Nentwig, et al, Helens Well, who debuted in her native Ireland on May 31, will be making her fourth career start on Sunday.
Ridden by Kyle Frey, Liam’s Dove was hustled from her number 10 post position in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and prevailed over a fast-finishing Helens Well in game gate to wire fashion at 34-1. Owned by Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller, this Liam’s Map filly will also be making her fourth start.
Irish-bred Dolly May, who is trained by John Sadler and owned by Hronis Racing, LLC, broke from post position two in Del Mar’s Juvenile Fillies Turf, settled nicely well off the pace, was shuffled back a bit three furlongs from home but rallied nicely to finish third, beaten 1 ¾ lengths by Liam’s Dove. A first-out maiden winner going seven furlongs on turf in a field of 13 in Ireland June 12, Dolly May should show marked improvement in what will be her third start.
The $200,000 Surfer Girl with jockeys & weights in post position order
Race 10 of 10, Approximate post time 5:30 p.m. PT
1. Miss Bellatrix—Abel Cedillo—120
2. It’s Simple—Mario Gutierrez—118
3. Cairo Memories—Kent Desormeaux—120
4. Saturday Nite Girl—John Velazquez—118
5. Helens Well—Flavien Prat—120
6. Brandon’smylawyer—Geovanni Franco—118
7. Hemmerle—Joe Bravo—118
8. Sax—Ricardo Gonzalez—118
9. Liam’s Dove—Kyle Frey—122
10. Dolly May—Juan Hernandez—118
11. Sterling Crest—Umberto Rispoli—118
The Surfer Girl is one of five stakes on a 10-race card Sunday with first post time at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
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Mike Willman/Santa Anita Press Office
Photo: Phil D’Amato (Benoit)
