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Post-Race Review Making one last start before retirement, Vacare hugged the rail all the way around the track and then swooped to a driving victory in the Dahlia Handicap (gr. II) at Hollywood Park on Sunday, closing day.
The five-year-old daughter of Lear Fan went favored in a field of eight, following the scratches of four horses. Vacare, trained by Christophe Clement, notched eight wins in fourteen lifetime starts. Jose Valdivia, Jr. was aboard for the victory over second choice Gotta Have Her and longshot In My Glory. The final time was 1:43.13 for the 1 1/16 miles turf race.
Racing in Southern California will now go on break until December 26th, opening day of Santa Anita’s winter/spring meeting.
Pre-Race Analysis Fillies and mares line up on the turf for Hollywood Park’s closing day stakes race, the Dahlia Handicap (gr. II). Run over 1 1/16 miles, the race has drawn a field of eleven. From the outside post is Storybook (UAE), a John Salder trainee bred by Darley who ran a strong race in an allowance optional claimer on November 8th over one mile on Hollywood’s turf. The winner of that race, Green Lyons (Ire), received a 96 CASE Rating for Endurance, and will break from post position two in the Dahlia. Storybook (UAE) earned a whopping 105 for Aerobic Efficiency, a 93 for Stride Quality, a 95 for Endurance, and a 93 average in that race, which are the highest overall numbers in the field. Mike Smith will ride the filly, who is 15 – 1 on the morning line.
Vacare is the morning line favorite for trainer Christophe Clement. When second in the Yellow Ribbon (gr. I) at Oak Tree on September 27th, Vacare earned a 101 for Stride Quality, and the Lear Fan mare rebounded from that effort to run fifth against the best fillies and mares in the world in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on October 24th. That finished earned a 99 for Endurance.
Valbenny (Ire) is in the barn of trainer Bobby Frankel now, despite being trained by Michael Matz of Barbaro fame for much of this year, and prior to that the Val Royal (FR) filly was trained by Paddy Gallagher. Valenny won two stakes races for Gallagher but has not won in a year and a half. Last out, while fourth in the Las Palmas Handicap (gr. II) on the Breeders’ Cup undercard, Valbenny earned a 93 for Endurance.
Lady Digby, with two stakes wins this year, is another popular choice in the race. Ironically, Lady Digby won Laurel Park’s version of the Dahlia back in April by a head, and ran second to champion Dreaming of Anna in the start before that.
Belle Allure (Ire), a recent arrival from France, adds international intrigue to the field. Corey Nakatani will ride.
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