Grade 1 heroine VACARE (Lear Fan) rallied into the thick of contention in the
stretch run of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) before settling for
fifth, two lengths behind by the winner. On Sunday, the five-year-old mare will
receive class relief while cutting back to 1 1/16 grassy miles in the $150,000
Dahlia H.
(G2) at Hollywood Park. She will face 11 rivals from the rail with regular
rider Jose Valdivia Jr.
Trained by Christophe Clement, Vacare garnered the 2006 edition of the Queen
Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup (G1) and notched two stakes victories
last season, including the First Lady S. (G2). The Kentucky-bred captured the
Palomar H. (G2) at Del Mar this August and recorded a fast-finishing second in
the Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) prior to the Breeders’ Cup.
Three international raiders will line up for the Dahlia, including Prix
Vanteaux (Fr-G3) victress BELLE ALLURE (Ire) (Numerous). The sophomore lass also
figures to appreciate the class relief after competing against superstar Zarkava
a couple of times this season. Belle Allure will be joined in the starting
line-up by a pair of three-year-old fillies from Europe, multiple English
stakes-placed DON’T FORGET FAITH (Victory Gallop) and French winner PLACE
DE L’ETOILE (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells). The latter is now trained by Patrick
Biancone.
Other contenders include Grade 2 queen and multiple Grade 1 runner-up
VALBENNY (Ire) (Val Royal [Fr]); Grade 3 winner LADY DIGBY (Grand Slam), who has
shipped in for conditioner Graham Motion; and stakes vixen and Palomar runner-up
GOTTA HAVE HER (Royal Academy).