Oak Tree presents a trio Sunday

Last updated: 9/30/05 9:03 PM

Oak Tree presents a trio Sunday

The $250,000 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship (G1), $250,000
Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) and $200,000 Norfolk S. (G2) highlight a
strong card at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Top draws for the Clement Hirsch Turf Championship, which is scheduled for 1
1/4 miles on the turf, include SWEET RETURN (GB) (Elmaamul), who earned his
third Grade 1 score when capturing the Eddie Read H. (G1) two starts back, and
LAURA’S LUCKY BOY (Theatrical [Ire]), runner-up by a nose in the Del Mar H. (G2)
last out and a stakes winner at Santa Anita earlier this year. The improving
FOURTY NINERS SON (Distorted Humor), an excellent third in the Arlington Million
(G1) last time for trainer Neil Drysdale, is also in the line-up.

The complete field, from the rail with jockeys, is LEPRECHAUN KID (Alphabet
Soup), Tyler Baze; WHILLY (Ire) (Sri Pekan), Felipe Martinez; Fourty Niners Son,
Corey Nakatani; RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom), Garrett Gomez; CONTINENTAL RED
(Flying Continental), Victor Espinoza; Sweet Return, Alex Solis; Laura’s Lucky
Boy, Gary Stevens; and EXTERIOR (Distant View), Patrick Valenzuela.

All starters will carry 124 pounds.

Island Fashion will attempt to defend her title in the Lady’s Secret on Sunday
(Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

The Lady’s Secret will feature a couple of Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1)
hopefuls in ISLAND FASHION (Petionville) and HOLLYWOOD STORY (Wild Rush). The
former exits an unplaced finish against males in the Pacific Classic (G1) but
showed her class and versatility when finishing second by a head in both the
grassy John C. Mabee H. (G1) and Vanity H. (G1) on the main track prior to her
last start. Trained by Marcelo Polanco, the gray Island Fashion is the defending
champion of this event and owns three graded victories at Santa Anita.

Hollywood Story has also showed good form this year, winning the Hawthorne H.
(G3) in May and finishing second by a nose in a Grade 2 event at Del Mar most
recently. The late-running miss will be seeking her first victory at Santa
Anita. STAR PARADE (Arg) (Parade Marshal) is another entrant of interest in the
1 1/16-mile Lady’s Secret, having captured the 2004 Milady Breeders’ Cup H. (G1)
in wire-to-wire fashion.

VALENTINE DANCER (In Excess [Ire]) carries 116 pounds and will break from the
rail with Jon Court. To their immediate outside is Hollywood Story, Espinoza,
119; QUERO QUERO (Royal Academy), Baze, 115; Island Fashion, Valenzuela, 117;
HEALTHY ADDICTION (Boston Harbor), Gomez, 115; and Star Parade, David Flores,
114.

Twelve juveniles will square off in the Norfolk and the 1 1/16-mile event
doesn’t have Del Mar Futurity (G2) winner Stevie Wonderboy (Stephen Got Even),
but five participants from that race are in the field, including runner-up THE
PHAROAH (Forest Camp) and third placer JEALOUS PROFIT (Trippi). A.P. WARRIOR (A.P.
Indy), an impressive maiden scorer first time out, weakened to sixth after
contesting a fast pace in the Del Mar Futurity and could show more here in his
second attempt against winners. BOB AND JOHN (Seeking the Gold) enters the
Norfolk off a 11 1/2-length maiden victory at Del Mar for trainer Bob Baffert.

BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) leads the post parade under Solis. Next comes
NONINO (Stormin Fever), Rene Douglas; PLUG ME IN (Hold for Gold), Kerwin John;
LONG RIDER (Anees), Stevens; RATTLESNAKE JOE (Concerto), Gomez; Jealous Profit,
Nakatani; SAY TOMORROW (Tomorrows Cat), Martin Pedroza; Bob and John, Espinoza;
The Pharoah, Court; SACRED LIGHT (Holy Bull), Kent Desormeaux; OLD THUNDER (Fusaichi
Pegasus), Flores; and A.P. Warrior, Valenzuela.

All runners will tote 122 pounds.