AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
| SANTA PAULA S.
(G3), 3RD-SA, $100,000, 3YO, F, 6.5F, 1:30 P.M. PDT, 4-1 |
|
| 1 |
BRENDA MEOVA (GB), 3, f, by Dr FongIberian Dancer, by El Gran Senor O-Jerry Jamgotchian; B-C Buckley S Hadley and D Redvers (GB) |
| 2 |
BETTARUN FAST, 3, f, by Kelly KipSplit Decision, by Dispersal O-Patricia & Stephen Fitzpatrick; B-Michael & Helen Reynolds, Shamrock Thoroughbreds (Fl) |
| 3 |
CANDY JO, 3, f, by Maria’s MonLive Your Best, by Mt. Livermore O-Michael House; B-Edward P Evans (Va) |
| 4 |
EL MIRAGE QUEEN, 3, f, by Gilded TimeArmenian Dancer (GB), by Shavian O-Moon S Han; B-Han Suk Moon (Ky) |
| 5 |
MORETHANAPRINCESS, 3, f, by More Than ReadyPrincess Pickle, by Hagley O-Todd A & Shawn T Hansen; B-Graham Barbara Cross (Md) |
| 6 |
LADIES SOUVENIR, 3, f, by Souvenir CopyDear Lady, by Avenue of Flags O-Golden Eagle Farm; B-Mabee Betty L. (Ky) |
| 7 |
ACCELERATION, 3, f, by Vision and VerseEpithet, by Gulch O-Daniel O Robinson; B-Kennelot Stables Ltd (Ky) |
A field of seven three-year-old fillies has been entered to go 6 1/2 furlongs
on Saturday in Santa Anita’s Santa Paula S. (G3). LADIES SOUVENIR (Souvenir
Copy) brings an undefeated two-race record into the test, taking her last, an
allowance/optional claimer, by 12 lengths. The Greg Gilchrist-trained miss
earned a 98 BRIS Speed rating for that victory as well as a 99 BRIS Late Pace
figure. She posted a bullet five furlongs in :58 4/5 last Sunday at Golden Gate
Fields and will get a rider change to Alex Solis, who’s been winning at a 21
percent clip of late, for this one. Ladies Souvenir appears too tough to pick
against.
EL MIRAGE QUEEN (Gilded Time) dropped her career debut last year during the
Hollywood meet, but returned in early February to break her maiden by 6 1/4
lengths while going Saturday’s distance. She made her stakes bow in the Tapestry
S. over the track, gutting out a head victory over CANDY JO (Maria’s Mon) at the
wire. The Moon Han charge earned triple-digit BRIS E2 Pace figures for both of
her wins and could continue to move forward in this spot. Jon Court has the
call, and the two could find themselves in the winner’s circle at the end.
MORETHANAPRINCESS (More Than Ready) broke her maiden in her first career
start on March 12, taking a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight event by a
half-length. She earned excellent numbers for that score and looks ready to take the
next step up. David Flores is scheduled to be in the saddle and the pair will be
a threat in the exotics.
Candy Jo followed the same path as El Mirage Queen, missing in her debut last
year at the Oak Tree meet, before returning in February for her first win. She
led throughout the Tapestry and just got caught at the wire. Though the Jeff
Mullins-conditioned gray will probably move forward off that start, we’re taking
a stand against her for the win based on the slight extra distance. However,
she’ll be on or near the lead in the early running and could easily show up in
the top three.
ACCELERATION (Vision and Verse) and BRENDA MEOVA (GB) (Dr Fong) are the
most experienced runners in the field with 11 starts apiece. The former
finished second in last season’s Sorrento S. (G3) and most recently got third in
the Tapestry. She could grab part under Garrett Gomez. Brenda Meova made her
U.S. debut in the grassy La Habra S. last out, but broke her maiden on the
all-weather overseas. She could add some value to the bottom of the gimmicks. BETTARUN FAST
(Kelly Kip) doesn’t look fast enough to challenge against these.