Las Virgenes

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s $250,000 Las Virgenes S. (G1) features a field of seven sophomore
fillies, but SHARP LISA (Dixieland Band) appears to be a standout. The chestnut
filly captured her career bow by 6 1/2 lengths at Calder last September, was
sold to new connections, and then recorded an excellent runner-up finish by a
head in the Alcibiades S. (G2). She suffered her only unplaced outing when sixth
in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and finished out her juvenile
campaign with a second in the Hollywood Starlet (G1).

Sharp Lisa faced top-class rivals in every start last season
following her maiden score, but she caught a weaker field when making her
seasonal bow in the Santa Ynez S. (G2) and went about her business in a
professional manner, drawing off to a 1 1/2-length decision. She faces another
unproven group of opponents on Saturday and can be expected to show more as she
continues to improve for trainer Doug O’Neill. Sharp Lisa earned a commendable
100 BRIS Speed rating last time and looks too good for us to go against here.

PUSSYCAT DOLL (Real Quiet) is the most attractive upset
candidate. A sharp three-length maiden winner two starts back on a sloppy track,
she ran well over fast conditions against champion Sweet Catomine (Sharp Cat) in
the Santa Ysabel S. (G3) last out. The Bob Baffert trainee offered a good
challenge for the lead in upper stretch and made her rival work a little before
finishing a clear second, 2 1/2 lengths back of the winner. She certainly owns a
license to improve with that experience under her belt and Pussycat Doll should
be a pace presence from the start from her inside post.

HOT ATTRACTION (Pulpit) also went straight from a maiden victory
to stakes company last time and finished a decent third in the Santa Ynez. We
liked her turn of foot when breaking her maiden by 7 1/2 lengths in mid-December
at Hollywood Park and the Wally Dollase charge should enjoy a fine trip on the front
end here. We’ll look for her to hold for a top three finish.

MEMORETTE (Memo [Chi]) owns little tactical speed but has
displayed a fine closing kick in many starts. She closed strongly to just miss
in the six-furlong Sunshine Millions Oaks last time and may continue to perform
well on the stretch out for trainer Bill Currin.

ON LONDON TIME (Gilded Time) has never earned a Speed rating
better than 88 but does enter off a couple of encouraging performances. She
can’t be counted out for a minor award. CLASSIC ELEGANCE (Carson City) was a
Grade 3 winner before regressing seriously in her final two appearances last
season. We’ll give her race off the shelf.

CHARMING COLLEEN (Charismatic) was no factor last time in the
Hollywood Starlet and might need an easier spot to be effective.