After winning the Sorrento Stakes from gate two, drawing the one lane won’t bother Vegas Magic in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes on Saturday (US Pacific Time).
And if she re-creates her classy last-start victory by 1.25 lengths, the two-year-old will move closer to starting in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland, Kentucky, on November 6.
That is the opinion of joint-leading Del Mar trainer Doug O’Neill heading into the USD $300,000 Grade 1 feature over seven furlongs.
“Super impressive (Vegas Magic’s last start victory on August 13),” O’Neill told HorseBetting.com.au when asked about his talented sprinter who has three wins from three starts.
“She sat in the pocket and then pitched herself up. So I don’t think the one will bother her at all.
“The goal for her is the Breeders’ Cup.”
O’Neill’s filly is the equal +300 favorite alongside And Tell Me Nolies for Peter Miller in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes.
And he is delighted with the way she is rapidly developing.
“Vegas Magic hasn’t done anything wrong – she’s three from three,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill will also have Satin Doll starting in the feature on Saturday, which is race eight on the card.
“Satin Doll – we’re just trying to get back to her maiden win here where she was a little outside horses,” he said of the 20/1 chance.
“She came from off-pace. Last time (fourth in the Sorrento Stakes) I think we had her a little too forwardly-placed.”
O’Neill will also have two +2000 outsiders Cahuilla and Pride of the Nile starting in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes over a mile on Saturday.
“They’re both nice fillies. It might be a little tough for them, but they both act like two turns on turf is what they want,” he said.
“So we’ll see. We’re hoping if we don’t win that if we run second or third and got some Black Type/Stakes placings, that would be great.
“I’m optimistic, but they’re in tough company.”
Havana Angel will start as the +250 favorite for Leonard Powell.
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