Miss Serendipity Has Tough Company in Mabee

Argentinian mare Miss Serendipity, who put it all together to eke out a grade I victory in the Gamely Stakes in her fifth United States start, returns to action in the $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes (gr. IIT) Aug. 10 on the Del Mar turf.

Matias Cavalieri's 6-year-old Not For Sale mare got up by a nose over Emollient in the May 26 Gamely on the Santa Anita Park grass. That effort, at the same nine-furlong distance as the Mabee, finally put her over the top for Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally after she had placed in the Santa Ana (gr. IIT) and Santa Barbara (gr. IIIT) before the Gamely.

Miss Serendipity has been working regularly on the turf at Santa Anita and Del Mar for her first start since then. With the turf course currently closed for maintenance, McAnally put her through a five-furlong drill Aug. 7 on the Del Mar Polytrack in 1:01 2/5.

Also a group I winner in her native country, Miss Serendipity will have a change of jockeys in the Mabee as Rafael Bejarano replaces the injured Brice Blanc. They break from post 6 with top weight of 123 pounds.

McAnally most recently won the Mabee in 2002 with Affluent when the race was a grade I, and in 1986 with Argentine mare Auspiciante when it was the Ramona Handicap (gr. IT). He also won the Ramona in 1978 with Drama Critic and in 1969 with Luz Del Sol.

Eight older fillies and mares will challenge Miss Serendipity in the Mabee, which is the eighth race Sunday with a tentative 5:30 p.m. PDT scheduled post.

Glen Hill Farm's Wishing Gate looks to regain the form she demonstrated last year in winning the San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) at Del Mar and finishing second to Discreet Marq in the Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT). After two subpar efforts, the Indian Charlie filly returned from a five-month layoff to finish fourth in the one-mile Royal Heroine (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita June 28. Trainer Tom Proctor has tabbed Drayden Van Dyke to replace Gary Stevens, who is rehabbing from knee surgery.

Stormy Lucy, trained by Ed Moger Jr. for his brother, Steve Moger, got the better of Miss Serendipity twice this season while winning the Santa Ana and the Santa Barbara. The late-running 5-year-old Stormy Atlantic   mare was a bit flat when finishing fourth in the Gamely, however, and lacked any rally at all when seventh last time in the Royal Heroine. Stormy Lucy gets a new rider in the Mabee with Corey Nakatani taking over.

Trainer Mike Stidham shipped Istanford in from Arlington International Racecourse July 19 to steal the San Clemente at 10-1 odds. He could have similar plans here with Every Way, most recently fourth in the Modesty Handicap (gr. IIIT) July 12. Noted speed rider Joe Talamo picks up the mount.

Cozze Up Lady won the restricted Osunitas Stakes at 1 1/16 miles July 19 in her first start for trainer Keith Desomreaux, who teamed with brother Kent for an 11-1 surprise. Also coming into the Mabee off wins are Charlie Em, who took the minor Possibly Perfect Handicap June 26 at Santa Anita, and Derrick Fisher's Queen of The Sand, an Irish import for trainer Paddy Gallagher who won an allowance/optional claiming race at one mile June 22.

Another Irish-bred, Miss Ellany, figures to be part of the pace scenario, and Moulin de Mougin, third in the Royal Heroine last time for Richard Mandella, completes the field.