Warren's Veneda towers over Vanity; Bal a Bali makes U.S. bow in American

Warren's Veneda towers over Vanity; Bal a Bali

makes U.S. bow in American

The California-bred chestnut has been freshened 56 days in advance of the

Vanity and Warren's Veneda will keep Tyler Baze in the irons.

The remaining contestants - Gas Total (Sulamani), Legacy (Sightseeing) and My

Sweet Addiction (Tiznow) -- are in tough.

While trainer Richard Mandella had to withdraw Beholder from the Vanity, the

Hall of Famer will send out Brazilian superstar Bal a Bali (Put It Back) for his

North American debut in the $100,000

American

(G3), a one-mile turf affair for three-year-olds and up.

Winner of the

Triple Crown in his native Brazil, the five-year-old horse has captured 11 of 12

career starts, 10 as the odds-on favorite, and earned $510,078.

Following his last start in June, Bal a Bali was purchased by Fox Hill Farm

and Siena Farm and imported to the U.S. in late summer, but he unfortunately got

sick traveling and contracted laminitis. After recovering at the Palm Beach

Equine Clinic in Florida, Bal a Bali was sent to Mandella's barn

in California.

"He's terrific, training like a billion dollars," said Mandella, who won his

2000th career race last Saturday. "A million wouldn't be enough."

Flavien Prat, who is off to a fast start at the Santa Anita spring/summer

meet with six wins, picks up the mount and Bal a Bali will will break from the

far outside post among eight rivals.

His main challengers include Grade 1 winner Winning Prize (Pure Prize),

last-out Thunder Road victor Talco (Pivotal) and Grade 3 scorer Home Run Kitten

(Kitten's Joy).

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