Halfbridled to Face Eight in Stonerside Beaumont

Champion Halfbridled will lead a field of eight in Thursday's $250,000 Stonerside Beaumont Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland. Halfbridled was entered but scratched from the April 3 Ashland Stakes (gr.I) after tying up after a morning gallop.

Second to Silent Sighs in the March 13 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I), her seasonal debut, the Richard Mandella-trained daughter of Unbridled would have been heavily favored to win the Ashland, which was won in front-running fashion by Madcap Escapade.

Mandella sent Halfbridled, who is stabled in trainer Michael Stidham's barn, to the track for a Tuesday morning gallop.

"Knock on wood, she's been good so far," Mandella said. "Hopefully everything will continue 'til Thursday."

Alex Solis will fly in from California to ride Halfbridled.

The Bob Baffert-trained Victory U.S.A., who finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, could be the toughest competition for Halfbridled. Victory U.S.A. most recently finished second in the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) to Ashland runner-up Ashado, Victory U.S.A. will be ridden by Jerry Bailey.

The $250,000 Stonerside Beaumont (gr. II) field includes:
1-- She's a Rebel Too (Justin Shepherd)
2-- Katestormedthebird (Robby Albarado)
3-- Movant (Calvin Borel)
4-- Halfbridled (Solis)
5--Sweet Vision (Jorge Chavez)
6--Victory U.S.A. (Bailey)
7--Thisgirldontlaugh (Eddie Zuniga)
8--Wildwood Flower (Pat Day)
9--Very Vegas (Larry Sterling, Jr.)