Stellar Wind blows away Torrey Pines rivals

Stellar Wind was sent off the 1-2 favorite in Sunday’s $100,250 Torrey Pines S. (G3) at Del Mar and the John Sadler pupil ran like with an easy 4 1/4-length romp under jockey Victor Espinoza.

The chestnut filly was a top contender on this year’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) trail, taking the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and Santa Ysabel S. (G3) by a combined eight lengths. Unfortunately, she was steadied early in the Kentucky Oaks and found herself well back at the start of the race, but still managed to rally for fourth that day.

Stellar Wind was given some time off following her Churchill Downs foray and returned fresh and ready to run in the Summertime Oaks (G2), which she captured by a nose.

There was no close margin in Sunday, though, as Stellar Wind quickly took up a stalking spot just outside of pacesetter Ultimate Holiday through the half-mile in :23.02 and :46.83. She easily cruised past that rival before the turn and drew off to stop the clock in 1:36.43 over the fast main track.

Stellar Wind became the second major stakes winner for her sire, Curlin, on the weekend after Keen Ice upset American Pharoah in Saturday’s Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga.

She began her career last fall with trainer Donald Barr at Laurel Park last year, impressing enough with an 8 3/4-length score for brothers Pete and Kosta Hronis to purchase her privately and send her Sadler in California.

The Breeders’ Cup was already over with by the time she debuted, so Stellar Wind never got a chance to run in the Juvenile Fillies. The chestnut lass will get her shot at the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, though, as Sadler indicated before the Torrey Pines that the September 26 Zenyatta S. (G1) at Santa Anita Park and October 30 BC Distaff at Keeneland were both on her radar.

Stellar Wind photo courtesy of Benoit Photos