The knock on multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Adare Manor is that she tends to beat up on inferior opposition, often by dictating as she pleases on the front end. Those circumstances won’t apply in her title defense in Saturday’s $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). The Bob Baffert mare figures to encounter a more complex pace scenario, and that could play into the hands of high-class invaders Scylla and Pretty Mischievous.
Note that Adare Manor didn’t have a cakewalk in last year’s Hirsch either. Proving her adaptability to stalk and pounce, the daughter of Uncle Mo held sway by one length from familiar foe Desert Dawn. But Adare Manor will have to do better to fend off stouter challenges here.
On the plus side, Adare Manor is arguably better this season at the age of five. She scored her first victory outside of California when romping in the April 13 Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn Park, which might be a more valuable indicator than her easy repeat in the May 26 Santa Margarita (G2) back at Santa Anita. Regular rider Juan Hernandez will guide the 125-pound highweight from post 2.
Flying Connection, the runner-up in the Apple Blossom, did well to rally after getting shuffled back to an uncharacteristic last early. The Todd Fincher filly historically showed speed in her dirt routes, before learning to relax in a tracking role. Reverting to that style on Saturday would put her nearer to Adare Manor. Considering that Flying Connection is stretching back out from a pair of losses in sprints, she’s eligible to be sharper with new rider Joe Talamo on the rail. But stablemate Olivia Twist is capable of mixing it up early too. Either way, Adare Manor is likely to have a Fincher runner a least keeping her honest.
Scylla, a maternal relative of reigning divisional champion Idiomatic, is on a similarly upward curve for owner/breeder Juddmonte. The Bill Mott trainee brings a three-race winning streak from Churchill Downs, including a breakout performance in the Shawnee (G3) and a harder-fought decision in the June 29 Fleur de Lis (G2). A full sister to $2.2 million-earner Tacitus and current Ohio Derby (G3) victor Batten Down, Scylla picks up Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith.
Last year’s champion three-year-old filly, Pretty Mischievous, ships west in hopes of reviving her fortunes. The Godolphin homebred hasn’t won since turning her Kentucky Oaks (G1), Acorn (G1), and Test (G1) hat trick in 2023, but she’s still managed to snare placings. Third in both of her starts this season, the La Troienne (G1) and Ogden Phipps (G1), Pretty Mischievous has been firing bullets of late at Churchill for trainer Brendan Walsh. New jockey Umberto Rispoli could provide a fresh spark.
Coffee in Bed captured the April 21 Santa Maria (G2) at this 1 1/16-mile trip, but she was no threat to Adare Manor when a distant second in the Santa Margarita. As a daughter of Curlin from the Richard Mandella barn, Coffee in Bed could develop further. The lone sophomore in the field, Sugar Fish, just recovered from a horrific start to run away with the Summertime Oaks (G2). The Jeff Mullins pupil has the scope to keep progressing, although this is a tough spot versus her elders.
The Clement L. Hirsch is carded as the 10th race with a post time of 9:30 p.m. ET. One race earlier, Carmelita’s Man goes for a three-peat in the $150,000 California Dreamin’ S. None Above the Law, Barely Funtional, Old Pal, and Catalina Eddy are among his rivals in the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for the state-restricted set.
