Del Mar racetrack
Beholder was ridden in all of her two-year-old races by Garrett Gomez. She began her racing career by finishing fourth behind Executiveprivilege in a maiden race on the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park Racetrack on June 28. A month later, she recorded her first win in a maiden race at Del Mar racetrack, beating Fanticola by lengths. On September 2, she was moved up to Grade I class for the Del Mar Debutante Stakes over seven furlongs. Starting at odds of 8.1–1, she hit the starting gate but took an early lead, leading by lengths in homestretch, but she was caught by Executiveprivilege at the finish line and was beaten a nose. Beholder moved to Santa Anita Park in October. Because she remained keyed up after the previous race and upset by the stress from shipping, Mandella chose to put her in an easier race than a Grade I to see if she would settle down enough to contest the Breeders' Cup later in the year. She was entered into a six-furlong allowance race and won by eleven lengths despite being eased in the closing stages. On November 2 at Santa Anita, Beholder was one of eight fillies to contest the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies over one mile. She was the 9–2 joint second choice in the betting behind Executiveprivilege, who was made the 13–8 favourite. Beholder took the lead from the start and broke clear of the field to open up a three-length advantage on the final turn. She held off the late challenge of Executiveprivilege to win by a length.