Stellar Wind aiming for Parx via Del Mar

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Stellar Wind made a successful rebound from her Kentucky Oaks loss to win Saturday's Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita.

The 3-year-old filly, owned by Hronis Racing and trained by John Sadler, won by a nose seven weeks after losing the Kentucky Oaks as the favorite. While the ultimate goal this year is the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Stellar Wind has a ways to go before the 1 1/8-mile race at Keeneland on Oct. 30.

"I don't have any thoughts on where I'm going to run yet," Sadler said Sunday. "I'll enjoy this for a few days, but she might run at Del Mar and she might travel, too. It looks like a lot of the big 3-year-old filly races are out of town."

Saturday after the Summertime Oaks, owner Kosta Hronis expressed his opinion on the filly's summer campaign.

"I think we'd like to keep her on dirt for now," Hronis expressed. "If we stay home here at Del Mar, we'd probably have to switch her over to the grass. If we keep her on dirt, we might go to Saratoga."

The Mid-Atlantic region is a prime location for 3-year-old fillies. Moving along side of the Alabama at Saratoga has been the $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing. The 1 1/16-mile Cotillion, won last year by Untapable, is five weeks before the Breeders' Cup and is on Sadler's radar.

"The Cotillion is one we'd consider. I like that track," the trainer noted.

Parx Racing, supported by a casino, has become a desired destination. Last year's eventual Horse of the Year California Chrome and Bayern met in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby before finishing third and first, respectively, in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Untapable won the Cotillion and followed by winning the Distaff at Santa Anita.