Stellar’ Set to Bounce Back at Home

Super impressive in two California starts off a private purchase by Hronis Racing, Stellar Wind (Curlin) lost some of that luster when finishing a mildly disappointing fourth as the favorite behind Lovely Maria (Majesticperfection) in the GI Kentucky Oaks May 1. The chestnut will look to atone for that effort as she returns to California for the GII Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita. 

Acquired off a blowout Laurel maiden win going a mile in late 2014, Stellar Wind set the local sophomore filly division on its ear with visually impressive successes in the GIII Santa Ysabel S. in February and the GI Santa Anita Oaks Apr. 4. A lukewarm favorite in the Kentucky Oaks at 32-10, she was away slowly from a high draw, got further back in the run than is her custom and closed off decently to be fourth, beaten just under five lengths.

Tara’s Tango (Unbridled’s Song), a half-sister to Grade I-winning sprinter Visionaire (Grand Slam), whistled home to graduate by 3 1/2 lengths sprinting five furlongs over the Del Mar Poly last July, earning a ‘TDN Rising Star’ in the process. Missing the better part of three-quarters of a year thereafter, she dropped a battle of the Rising Stars to Enchanting Lady (Tale of the Cat) in the Apr. 5 Santa Paula S. and was most recently runner-up to another Baffert trainee, Fantastic Style (Harlan’s Holiday) in a merry-go-round renewal of the Angel Flight S. over seven panels May 16. She’ll try a route of ground for the first time Saturday. 

“This is what she’s been wanting,” jockey Mike Smith said of the added distance. “I really like this filly. I think a lot of her. Down the road she’s going to a really, really nice one.” 

Danette (Curlin) remains a maiden through her first 12 career starts, but rates a look to round out the exotics in this, her fifth stakes attempt. Third to Angela Renee (Bernardini) in last year’s GI Chandelier S. and a close fifth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, the bay exits a runner-up effort behind Conquest Curligirl (Curlin) in a one-mile maiden May 7. She has a few lengths to find with the top ones in here, but her off-pace style could be flattered in a race that looks to be busy enough up front.