© Benoit Photo
The two-time Eclipse champion Beholder, who is almost certain to win another Eclipse award as the champion dirt female of 2015, has the June 4th Vanity Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita as a “long-range goal” for her much-anticipated 2016 campaign.
The news was reported in the Santa Anita Stable Notes for December 31st. “[Beholder is] still at Peacefield Farm in Temecula, but we expect her back at Santa Anita somewhere towards the first or second week of January,” trainer Richard Mandella was quoted as saying.
In 2015, Beholder missed the Vanity due to illness, but went unbeaten in five starts otherwise, including a romping win against male horses in the Pacific Classic (gr. I). A defense of her Pacific Classic title is presumably in the cards for 2016, which could set her up for a showdown with 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to sign up for email newsletters and special offers from The Turf Board!
