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John C. Mabee comes up tough One measure of the depth of Sunday's $250,000 John C. Mabee S. (G2) is that defending champion WASTED TEARS (Najran) will go off at much higher odds than she did in her previous visit to Del Mar one year ago. Indeed, most of Southern California's leading turf distaffers have signed on for the 1 1/8-mile turf test, presenting a fearsome line of defense against the Lone Star Park shipper. The home team includes a few who could have been serious contenders in Saturday's Beverly D. S. (G1) at Arlington Park, had they chosen to ship -- CELTIC PRINCESS (Brz) (Public Purse), HARMONIOUS (Dynaformer) and MALIBU PIER (Malibu Moon). Celtic Princess, a former Brazilian Horse of the Year, has been razor-sharp of late. The A.C. Avila mare nearly wired the May 30 Gamely S. (G1) in her first start off a five-month layoff, only to be nailed in the final strides by Beverly D.-bound Dubawi Heights (GB) (Dubawi). Celtic Princess improved next time out in the July 4 Royal Heroine Mile (G2), where she rolled to a 2 1/4-length decision over Harmonious. Since Celtic Princess has a front-running style similar to the speedy Wasted Tears, she can be an obstacle to the defending champion in more ways than one. Rafael Bejarano will be back aboard as Celtic Princess breaks from post 7. If Celtic Princess moved forward off her comeback, then Harmonious is entitled to do considerably better here in her second start off a break. The John Shirreffs filly was a powerhouse last season, brushing aside fellow sophomores in the American Oaks (G1) and Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Cup (G1). Those smart victories bookended a narrow runner-up effort in the Del Mar Oaks (G1), her only prior appearance at the seaside track. She cost herself dearly by drifting to the far outside that day, but she's a savvier customer this time around. Although Harmonious is winless from three starts as a four-year-old, she's had excuses in each. She just missed by a nose when rallying off a farcical early pace in the Robert J. Frankel S. (G2), didn't enjoy dirt racing when third in the La Canada S. (G2), subsequently went to the sidelines, and needed the Royal Heroine as a tightener. The nine-furlong trip, and the prospect of an honest pace, should bring out the best from Harmonious. She figures to drop back from her rail post with regular rider Joel Rosario. Malibu Pier was rising to the top of the divisional rankings on this circuit, until she picked the wrong time to have a bad day at the office. After capturing the March 19 Santa Ana H. (G2) and the April 16 Santa Barbara H. (G2), the Spendthrift Farm runner threw in a dull fifth in the Gamely. Trainer Carla Gaines diagnosed the issue promptly and averred that Malibu Pier would be herself in the June 26 Beverly Hills H. (G3), and the tactical chestnut vindicated her with a convincing 1 3/4-length tally. A close stalker who will get the jump on the deep closers, Malibu Pier clicks with Brice Blanc and is well drawn in post 4. COZI ROSIE (Pleasantly Perfect) could be something of a forgotten filly in the Mabee. Trained by John Sadler, the Jerry and Ann Moss colorbearer made a smashing return from an extended layoff in the February 21 Buena Vista H. (G2). She swept strongly late to win going away, with Malibu Pier back in third. Cozi Rosie has been unable to build on that performance, however. Rallying too late and settling for minor awards in the Santa Barbara and Gamely, she was virtually eliminated after clipping heels early in the Beverly Hills, and deserves credit for recovering for second. Sadler has since made two key changes that could help Cozi Rosie turn things around. She adds blinkers and gets a rider switch to Garrett Gomez. Aside from the challenges of facing a deeper home team, Wasted Tears doesn't enter the Mabee in as strong a form as she did last summer. Trainer Bart Evans' homebred brought a six-race winning streak into Del Mar for the 2010 Mabee, and the brave mare fought like a lion to make it seven. Wasted Tears opened 2011 in terrific fashion, romping by five lengths to three-peat in the May 30 Ouija Board Distaff (G3) at her home track. But when trying to stretch her speed over 1 3/16 miles in the July 9 Modesty H. (G3), she weakened to third. Trimming back in distance here is bound to help, but the ninth furlong lies at the very edge of her capacity. New rider David Flores gets the assignment to make her last. Rounding out the field are 2010 Wilshire H. (G3) winner MEDAGLIA D'AMOUR (Medaglia d'Oro), unraced for more than 15 months since then and finding herself in a tough spot for a comeback; Harold C. Ramser Sr. H. (G3) victress GO FORTH NORTH (North Light [Ire]), a stablemate of Celtic Princess who was last seen finishing third in the Robert J. Frankel on January 1; and Grade 3 veteran TURNING TOP (Ire) (Pivotal), who aims to bounce back from a too-bad-to-be-true performance in the Gamely.
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