Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies champion Beholder worked seven
furlongs under regular rider Garrett Gomez on Santa Anita’s fast main
track Monday morning in 1:24.80 for the Grade I Las Virgenes Stakes for
3-year-old fillies at one mile on March 2.
The daughter of Henny Hughes worked in company with Half Strike, who was timed in 1:13 for six furlongs.
“She couldn’t look any better,” Hall of Fame trainer Richard
Mandella said of Beholder, who was upset by Renee’s Titan in the Santa
Ynez Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 21. After the race, a minor ulcer
was found in Beholder’s throat.
“It looks real good so far,” Mandella said of the ailment. “If
it reoccurs, it would be over (as far as making the Las Virgenes). But
so far, so good.”
Asked what impact, if any, the ulcer had on Beholder’s
three-quarters of a length defeat by Renee’s Titan, who closed along the
rail, Mandella said, “I wouldn’t want to run with a sore throat. It
couldn’t have helped her.”