AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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LAS VIRGENES S. (G1), 4TH-SA, $250,000, 3YO, F, 1M, 2:03 P.M. PST, 2-6 |
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| 1 |
SUMMER GAMES, 3, f, by LimehouseSay Im Great, by Oh Say O-Shefa Enterprises Inc; B-Paradise Productions LLC (Ky) |
| 2 |
BLIND LUCK, 3, f, by Pollard’s VisionLucky One, by Best of Luck O-Mark Dedomenico LLC or Carver or Hollendorfer; B-Fairlawn Farm (Ky) |
| 3 |
LA NEZ, 3, f, by Storm CreekIza Bay, by Iz a Saros O-Class Racing Stable or Kruljac or Orth et al; B-Kruljac J. Chance (Ca) |
| 4 |
SWITCH, 3, f, by Quiet AmericanAntoniette, by Nicholas O-C R K Stable; B-Calumet Farm (Ky) |
| 5 |
EVENING JEWEL, 3, f, by Northern AfleetJewel of the Night, by Giant’s Causeway O-Braly Family Trust; B-Betty L & Larry Mabee (Ca) |
| 6 |
CRISP, 3, f, by El CorredorCat’s Fair, by Sir Cat O-Michael Talla; B-James Jones & Randy Swanson (Ky) |
Dual Grade 1 heroine BLIND LUCK (Pollard’s Vision) leads a field of six
postward in Saturday’s $250,000 Las Virgenes S. (G1) at Santa Anita, and we see
no reason why the filly can’t continue her strong run through the West Coast for
trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. A seven-length romper in the Hollywood Starlet (G1)
in her previous engagement, the chestnut Kentucky-bred has earned triple-digit
BRIS Late Speed numbers in her last three starts and isn’t facing her most
accomplished field to date, leading us to believe that she’ll get the job one
with something close to her best. Rafael Bejarano has the assignment.
We’ve been high on SWITCH (Quiet American) since her debut maiden win, and
the John Sadler pupil seems poised for a good showing with another furlong to
deal with in this one. The talented prospect finished a solid third in the Santa
Ynez S. (G2) and has a ton of upside, and she could be the lone filly in the
field who could match our top pick if she moves up in her third try. The bay,
who will be ridden by Tyler Baze, posted a pair of bullet moves in advance of
this, signaling that she is ready for her Grade 1 debut.
California Cup Juvenile Fillies S. vixen LA NEZ (Storm Creek) was a fine
third in the Darley Debutante S. (G1) last summer and has finished in the top
three in six of her seven lifetime tries for trainer Eric Kruljac. The dark bay
was third versus lesser last out, but her consistency makes her a viable
exotics threat under the guidance of Mike Smith.
Santa Ysabel S. (G3) star CRISP (El Corredor) is a consistent late runner who
is seemingly improving, but her BRIS Speed numbers are low and we can’t endorse
her for the win from the widest post. Also trained by Sadler, the dark bay is an
obvious exotics threat, nonetheless.
Santa Ysabel runner-up EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) has run first or
second in five in succession for trainer James Cassidy and has very good
tactical speed, which could yield her first run on the top pair turning for
home. The California-bred bay has been first or second in all four local tries
and could hang on for a minor award with Victor Espinoza in the saddle. SUMMER GAMES (Limehouse) has run well in both career tries and could lead the
field early from the rail post for conditioner Caesar Dominguez. The chestnut
could move up with the added distance in here, but she might be a bit behind
these at this stage of her development.