By DRF.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 24, 2024) – The main question in the Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita concerns the likely pacesetter – can California-bred Stay and Scam stay the trip?
At a mile on turf, the Royal Heroine may or may not be within reach for Stay and Scam. She ran well finishing second last out in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes, her initial try at two turns. But she also squandered a 2 1/2-length lead in the stretch.
“I guess until you win [at two turns], it’s always going to be a question mark,” trainer Doug O’Neill acknowledged. “She really stepped up against open company and showed she belongs. I’m just confident she’s doing well. I think she fits in there.”
Stay and Scam fits perfectly in the $100,000 Royal Heroine, which is race 9 on Saturday. The card includes the $100,000 Kona Gold, race 4, in which The Chosen Vron could be odds-on. By comparison, the Royal Heroine is wide open. Stay and Scam is one of many with a chance.
Nine fillies and mares were entered in the Royal Heroine. O’Neill starts Stay and Scam and sharp sprinter Miss Lizzy. Trainer Phil D’Amato entered comebacker Uncorked, multiple graded winner Bellabel, and Lakota Spirit. Justique looms an upset candidate off a sharp work for trainer John Shirreffs. The others are Glenall, Irresistible Force, and shipper Fuente Ovejuna.
Stay and Scam, a California-bred Square Eddie filly owned by breeders Paul and Zilla Reddam, won 5 of 10 sprints before stretching to a mile last out. She set the pace in the Wilshire, kicked away in the stretch under Mario Gutierrez, but was run over by last-to-first winner Nadette.
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Considering the dynamics – the race was won by a deep closer and every other forwardly placed runner finished far back – Stay and Scam actually ran super. If she rations her speed Saturday, Stay and Scam could be long gone.
Stay and Scam has five wins in 11 starts and earnings of $310,760.