Vasilika Rides Hot Streak into Matriarch

[Wandering Eyes]

Former claimer turned Grade I winner Vasilika (Skipshot) looks to collect her ninth straight win of the season Sunday in Del Mar’s GI Matriarch S. Scoring her first graded win in the GII John C. Mabee S. Sept. 1, the chestnut followed suit with a half-length success in the GI Rodeo Drive S. at Santa Anita Sept. 29 and skipped the Breeders’ Cup in favor of the GII Goldikova S. in Arcadia Nov. 4, which she won by 1 1/2 lengths.

Chad Brown, who won last year’s renewal of this event, will give Vasilika a run for her money with a strong trio of runners. A two-time Grade III winner in 2017, Rymska (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) closed out last season with a win in the Winter Memories S. in November 2017 and was not seen again until Aug. 31 at Saratoga, when she missed by just a nose in an optional claimer. The bay returned to winning ways last time in the GII Athenia S. at Belmont Oct. 21. Stablemate Uni (GB) (More Than Ready) also enters off a graded win at Belmont in the Sept. 22 GIII Noble Damsel S. The chestnut prepped for that last out score with wins in the Plenty of Grace S. Apr. 14 and De La Rose S. Aug. 4. Completing the Brown trio is Quidura (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who looks to make amends for a seventh-place finish as the favorite last time in Keeneland’s GI First Lady S. Oct. 6. The bay won the GII Ballston Spa S. at Saratoga Aug. 25 and hit the board in three Grade Is last year.

Mission Impassible (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could spice things up as she takes on her elders in this test. Previously campaigned in Europe by trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, the chestnut won the G2 Prix de Sandringham in June and was transferred to Rodolphe Brisset after finishing fifth in the G1 Prix Rothschild S. July 29. She finished a respectable second behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) in the GI QEII Challenge Cup at Keeneland Oct. 13 in her American debut last time out.

Also of interest is Excellent Sunset (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who will be the first Grade I runner for young trainer Anna Meah. Winless in her first five starts in Europe, she broke her maiden in her U.S. bow for trainer Brendan Walsh at Ellis Park July 4 and captured a Saratoga allowance next out Sept. 2. Missing by a neck in her final start for Walsh at Keeneland Oct. 7, the bay was transferred to Meah and crossed the wire first last time in the restricted Katherine Crosby S. over this course distance Nov. 9, but was disqualified and placed second for interference.

 

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