AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
| LAS FLORES H.
(G3), 3RD-SA, $100,000, 4YO/UP, F/M, 6F, 1:30 P.M. (PST), 2-25 |
|
| 1 |
SPIRIT TO SPARE, 5, m, by Pole PositionCurrent Encounter, by Little Current O-Dan Sutherland; B-Dr. Diana R. G. Wilson (Sk) |
| 2 |
VACA CITY FLYER, 5, m, by Michael’s FlyerDesert Rose, by Native Prospector O-Jim Vlahos; B-Thomas Pergakis (Ca) |
| 3 |
MAZELLA, 5, m, by Mazel TrickWonderful, by Olympio O-Barry Or Judith Becker; B-Hinkle Farms (Ky) |
| 4 |
GALACTIC CAT, 4, f, by Forest WildcatRegal Galaxy, by Regal Classic O-Robert D Bone; B-Scott E Ricker & Richard S Kaster (Ky) |
| 5 |
AWESOME LADY, 5, m, by BianconiRisen Witch, by Conquistador Cielo O-Cavanaugh Hirsch & Stute; B-R. Alex Rankin & James Ernst (Ky) |
| 6 |
BEHAVING BADLY, 5, m, by PioneeringTimeleighness, by Sir Raleigh O-Patti & Hal J Earnhardt III; B-Thomas/Lakin (Ny) |
A short field of six will meet in Saturday’s $100,000 Las Flores H. (G3) and
BEHAVING BADLY (Pioneering) lays over her rivals. She faced better competition
when rolling to an impressive 4 1/2-length score in the Santa Monica H. (G1)
last out, settling the matter from the break with her dynamic speed. The
five-year-old mare cruised through fractions of :22 and :44 before effortlessly
stepping clear, and she earned another tremendous 105 BRIS Speed rating after
receiving a 112 number two starts back. A winner in five of her seven career
starts, this spot looks like easy pickings for the Bob Baffert trainee.
VACA CITY FLYER (Michael’s Flyer) ships in from Northern California off a
couple of nice wins and her form’s improved since being transferred to Art
Sherman two starts back. The California-bred owns a commendable 14-9-1-2 mark at
the six-furlong distance and should sit a good stalking trip with her tactical speed. She can
grab runner-up honors.
AWESOME LADY (Bianconi) enters for Gary Stute, who is winning at a 23 percent
clip, and owns the credentials to challenge for part. Three for six locally, the
five-year-old didn’t fire in the Santa Monica last time but should
appreciate the cut back to six furlongs. The other speed could get weary chasing
Behaving Badly, enabling Awesome Lady to run past her rivals for second.
MAZELLA (Mazel Trick) returns off a 295-day hiatus and has run well at Santa
Anita previously. Her stakes experience is an asset here, and the five-year-old
finished third in this event 12 months back. She’s obviously a threat for
runner-up honors with her Speed ratings and would complete a very chalky exacta.
SPIRIT TO SPARE (Pole Position) captured a $50,000 claiming event two starts
back and is winless from three attempts at six furlongs. GALACTIC CAT (Forest
Wildcat) makes her seasonal debut out west after being claimed for $50,000 at
Churchill Downs last out. We’ll give her a start in California.