AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
| EL ENCINO S.
(G2), 8TH-SA, $150,000, 4YO, F, 1 1/16M, 4:10 P.M. PST, 1-15 |
|
| 1 |
SOMETHINABOUTLAURA, 4, f, by Dance FloorCrystals of Ice, by It’s Freezing O-Turf Express Inc Beck & Mastrocinque; B-Lilley Ranch (Ca) |
| 2 |
SKIPPING COURT, 4, f, by Doneraile CourtWildcat Orchid, by Pirate’s Bounty O-Harrington Or King Arthur Frm or Owner’s; B-Mrs. Kathleen Schonefeld (Ky) |
| 3 |
CREAM DONUT KEITH, 4, f, by Lion HeartedThe Last Deanie, by Polish Numbers O-J Paul Reddam; B-Charles Manning (NJ) |
| 4 |
PROPOSED, 4, f, by BenchmarkQuiet Romance, by Bertrando O-Mr & Mrs Martin J Wygod; B-Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Wygod (Ca) |
| 5 |
SHIMMER, 4, f, by PulpitPrivate Light, by Private Account O-Mr & Mrs J S Moss; B-Ogden Mills Phipps (Ky) |
| 6 |
THREE DEGREES (IRE), 4, f, by Singspiel (Ire)Miss University, by Beau Genius O-Bienstock & Winner Stables Depietro; B-B Butt (Ire) |
| 7 |
PLAY BALLADO, 4, f, by Saint BalladoPiccolo Player, by Capote O-John C Oxley; B-Stone Canyon Thoroughbreds (Ky) |
There is plenty of speed present for Sunday’s El Encino S. (G2) at Santa
Anita, and the classy THREE DEGREES (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]), who will be making her
first start on the main track, rates our top choice.
Three Degrees exits a close fifth-place finish, beaten just three-quarters of
a length, in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1) at Keeneland where she
earned a BRIS Late Pace rating of 118. Prior to that, she was a
troubled second, beaten a half-length, in the Del Mar Oaks (G2), a troubled
fifth in the American Oaks (G1), and a fast-closing, one length winner of the
Honeymoon Breeders’ Cup H. (G2). Clearly, she was one of the best three-year-old
grass fillies in the country last year, but considering her workouts on the main
track at Santa Anita, and her pedigree, we think she will handle the dirt. After
all, her sire, who descends from the family of Devil’s Bag and Saint Ballado,
won the 1997 Dubai World Cup on the dirt, and her dam, by the versatile Beau
Genius, is a half-sister to three black-type dirt runners.
The John Ward Jr.-trained PLAY BALLADO (Saint Ballado) will be making her first
start around two turns, but is built to be a router and is tactically drawn on
the outside. The massive filly has won three of her four career starts and exits
a 7 1/2-length romp in the one-mile Miss Oceana S. at Aqueduct. The speedy dark
bay projects a forwardly placed trip and brings her rider, Edgar Prado. She
could add some value to the exacta.
PROPOSED (Benchmark), who owns a 4-2-1-1 record at the 1 1/16-mile distance, figures to
be in the mix early and may be the one to catch under Pat Valenzuela. The speedy
John Shirreffs charge exits a near front-running, five-length score over second-level allowance foes at Hollywood Park. Prior to that, she finished a close
third to Grade 1 winner Dream of Summer (Siberian Summer) in the California Cup Matron H. Proposed must
be respected for a top-three placing.
SHIMMER (Pulpit), a deep closer, has yet to finish worse than second in
four career starts. Also trained by Shirreffs, the dark bay lass came with a
late rally to take runner-up honors to the one above last out. She could improve in her
second start off a layoff and earn a share at decent odds. Shimmer rates our
sleeper.
The improving SOMETHINABOUTLAURA (Dance Floor) set the pace before holding on
well for fourth in the Cal Cup Matron. She will likely add to the early
fractions but is hard to recommend for all the marbles. CREAM DONUT KEITH (Lion
Hearted) has two wins and a second in five career outings, but has not fared
well at the graded level. She would have to improve to factor here. SKIPPING
COURT (Doneraile Court), a former claimer, has finished second in her last five
starts against lesser and would be a surprise.