Unbeaten Cavalieri tops Richi (CHI) in Beholder Mile (G1)

Cavalieri ran down a very game Richi in the final sixteenth to best her stablemate by three-quarters of a length and give Bob Baffert a 1-2 finish in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile Saturday at Santa Anita Park.

Cavaleri has used the same style to win all four of her races to date. On Saturday, she closely flanked Richi through solid fractions of :46.24 and 1:09.73, with the entire field of six separated by no more than four lengths. Turning for home, Richi opened up a two-length lead, then Cavalieri steadily closed in, taking the lead with a sixteenth to run and finishing up the mile in 1:34.96, setting a new stakes record.

“We always knew she would be a superstar,” said Baffert of the winner. “I’m proud of both horses. That was racehorse time.”

Winner of the La Canada S. (G3) on Jan. 19, Cavalieri is a perfect 4-for-4 and has earned $318,000 for Speedway Stables LLC.