‘Wind’ a Likely Winner of Torrey Pines

Hronis Racing’s Stellar Wind (Curlin) would have merited a long look in last Saturday’s GI Alabama S. at Saratoga, but trainer John Sadler opted to keep her in California for Sunday’s GIII Torrey Pines S., where she figures to be very tough to beat. Purchased privately after a second-out romp at Laurel last December for Barbara Houck and trainer Donald Barr, the chestnut burst onto the national stage with a clear-cut tally in Santa Anita’s GIII Santa Ysabel S. Feb. 28, and was even more impressive taking the GI Santa Anita Oaks by 5 1/4 lengths Apr. 4. Installed as the 3-1 favorite for the GI Kentucky Oaks, she settled for a late-on-the-scene fourth with a bit of trouble. Returning to her home base, she out-nosed ‘TDN Rising Star’ Tara’s Tango (Unbridled’s Song) in the GII Summertime Oaks June 28. Tara’s Tango returned to take an optional claimer here Aug. 5. Undefeated George Krikorian homebred Big Book (Mr. Big) looks like the most likely upsetter, as she looks to maintain an unbeaten record while venturing out of the Cal-bred ranks for the first time. She owns a win going this distance at Santa Anita June 13, and bested a next-out winner to annex the seven-panel Fleet Treat S. here July 25. Click here for more on the Tim Yakteen trainee. Roksana (Eskendereya) broke her maiden going this distance in Arcadia in March, and added an optional claimer the following month. She was eased after her saddle slipped in the Summertime Oaks, and most recently rounded out the trifecta in a track-and-trip optional claimer July 22.