Allowance pivotal race for two fillies

ARCADIA, Calif. – Proven at a mile, the 4-year-old fillies West Coast Bias and Be Mine will start for the first time on the hillside turf course Friday at Santa Anita in an allowance race that could define how they are campaigned this winter.

Success would lead to repeated appearances at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside course. A disappointing loss would likely lead to more starts around two turns.

Friday’s race has a full field of 10, with temporary turf rails set 20 feet out from the permanent position.

KEY CONTENDERS

West Coast Bias, by Unbridled’s Song Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-76

◗ West Coast Bias was second or third in four starts in Maryland and Louisiana before winning her California debut as the even-money favorite in a one-mile maiden race Aug. 3 at Del Mar. She was third in an optional claimer at a mile on turf Aug. 30 after encountering trouble early in the race.

◗ Jockey Drayden Van Dyke was aboard West Coast Bias for those races and said the filly is likely to race from off the pace Friday.

“I don’t think she’ll be on the lead,” he said Wednesday. “I’ll be toward the back and maybe midpack. We might see a different kick down the hill.

“I’ve breezed her a bit, and she’s got good energy.”

◗ West Coast is trained by Tom Proctor for Glen Hill Farm.

Be Mine, by Twirling Candy Last 3 Beyers: 80-89-88

◗ Be Mine has not started since finishing fourth as the 5-2 favorite in the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar in July 2016. In the spring of 2016, Be Mine was second by a head in both the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at a mile on turf and Grade 2 Honeymoon Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita.

◗ Be Mine’s absence was caused by a series of injuries and no major setbacks, trainer Phil D’Amato said. Be Mine worked last December and again this spring before she resumed workouts in August leading to Friday’s comeback.

“It was one little thing after another and it snowballed,” D’Amato said. “I had to start and stop on her twice.”

◗ Owned by Mark Martinez and the Little Red Feather partnership, Be Mine has never started in a turf sprint, though such races for her have intrigued D’Amato.

“I’ve thought she’ll love the hill,” he said. “We were stuck in those 3-year-old stakes that were two-turn races. We kept her on that schedule. This year, on the comeback, we wanted to try it. We can see if she likes it.

“It’s a good race back. I think she can win.”