Emboldened back in action

Progressive three-year-old filly Emboldened returns in the seven-furlong G1 La Brea Stakes on dirt at Santa Anita Park, USA, on Wednesday, December 26.
 
The homebred daughter of Elusive Quality, successful on two of her three starts, was last seen when moving from second last to first in the Listed Angels Flight Stakes over the same course and distance on May 12.
 
She had a couple of starts early on as a three-year-old, also at Santa Anita, making all to win a six-furlong maiden on her career debut on January 5, and then coming third in an allowance event the following month.
 
Emboldened, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Joseph Talomo, is drawn in stall four of the nine runners, led by another Bob Baffert-trained runner, the unbeaten-in-five Dream Tree, a G1 winner already, who is also making a comeback.
 
Jimmy Bell, the Godolphin North America President commented: “Emboldened broke her maiden first time out and was named a TDN Rising Star.
 
“So her second start was a bit disappointing, but she got into a speed duel and it is tough against other winners.
 
“She missed the break in the stakes race she ran in and was out the back door, but picked up well and generated a head of steam to win.
 
“A bit of a chip in a knee was discovered after that, which has delayed her racing until now.
 
“Emboldened has been training very well. It is ambitious to go for the La Brea Stakes, but the race offers a good opportunity to try her in a G1.
 
“She fits with the rest of the field, except Dream Tree who is herself making a return to the track.”