Stardom Bound might skip Santa Anita Derby

Mike Smith celebrated after Stardom Bound’s close Santa Anita Oaks win (Benoit Photo)

Multiple Grade 1 queen and champion STARDOM BOUND (Tapit) could bypass the
April 4 Santa Anita Derby (G1) against the boys following a tough win in
Saturday’s Santa Anita Oaks (G1). The gray lass just barely got her nose down on
the line to take the victory after being hung out extremely wide on the turn and
in the stretch run.

“I don’t think so,” trainer Bobby Frankel replied when asked if Stardom Bound
would face males in the Santa Anita Derby. “Talk to the owners.”

Michael Iavarone, president of IEAH Stables, told kentuckyderby.com’s Jill Byrne
on Sunday that the team had been looking for Stardom Bound
to improve in the Santa Anita Oaks and had expected a much stronger effort.
Despite her extremely wide trip and a tiring track, Iavarone said they weren’t
making any excuses for the gray filly, who reportedly exited the Oaks in good
condition.

Iavarone indicated that the team was going to take a week to analyze the race
and decide what’s next for the three-year-old — whether she might start aiming
for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 1 or stay on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.