TDN APB: Champion Beholder Back Galloping With Mandella

Spendthrift Farm’s two-time champion Beholder (m, 5, Henny Hughes–Leslie’s Lady, by Tricky Creek)–forced to miss a title defense in the 2014 GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff as well as a trip to the sales ring for the Fasig-Tipton November sale due to a fever–has returned to Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella’s Santa Anita base. 

“Richard [Mandella] said that she’s doing great, and that she’s filled out and has continued to develop,” Spendthrift Farm General Manager Ned Toffey commented. 

Beholder mostly jogged and did a little bit of galloping under the supervision of Julie Adair-Stack in Chino, California. The six-time Grade I winner made three starts in 2014, most recently annexing Santa Anita’s GI Zenyatta S. for the second time Sept. 27. 

“Their impression was that she looks better than ever,” Toffey continued. “But she just got back there and is galloping. There’s no target [for her return] right now. We just want to get her going and see where we are. She’s still a bit away from a breeze.” 

After winning the 2012 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and adding the following year’s Distaff, it’s no secret where the half-sister to GI CashCall Futurity winner and leading young Spendthrift sire Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday) will be aiming for in late October at Keeneland. 

“It’s Breeders’ Cup and work backwards,” Toffey said of her projected 2015 campaign. “Maybe some of the same races that we pointed for last year, too. We’ll have to play it by ear a little bit and see how she does coming back.” 

-Steve Sherack