Bendable, Coniah head field

ARCADIA, Calif. – The female sprint division is reawakening at Santa Anita.

Selcourt last week delivered a 95 Beyer stakes romp to emerge as a major player, Unique Bella last month won a Grade 1 sprint with plans for her to run long in her next start, while graded winner Skye Diamonds could target the Grade 3 Las Flores next month.

Any other female sprinters out there? There are plenty. They switch to turf Saturday in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill course.

Nine entered the $100,000 race, including likely favorite Bendable, the field’s only graded winner but making her first start on turf. Her chief rival is Coniah, a downhill horse-for-course but making her first start in seven months.

The field includes Grade 1-placed Beau Recall; stakes winners Miss Southern Miss and Proper Discretion; and stakes-placed Anita Partner. Angel Allie, Princess Princess, and Instant Reflex have shots, while bettors are likely to focus on Bendable and Coniah.

Bendable, winner of the Grade 3 Desert Stormer at Santa Anita, has won four of eight starts, all dirt. Why try turf?

“We always wanted to try her on turf, and this race came up just right,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “We just want to see if there’s anything there before breeding season.”

Bendable is owned and bred by Claiborne Farm, and her future as a 5-year-old – racemare or broodmare? – may depend on how she fares on turf. Mandella said she has trained “real well” for her first start since finishing fourth in a Grade 2 in October at Keeneland.

Coniah finished second to Bendable in the Desert Stormer last June, which was her most recent start. Although Coniah resumed workouts in July, trainer Bill Morey could see she was not right.

“She just got a little bit sour and sore,” Morey said. “We stopped on her, and started over again. She’s had a lot of works; she’s doing well.”

Morey is doing well also, with a winter stable split between Northern California and Southern California. Morey is 4 for 9 at Santa Anita, 3 for 15 at Golden Gate.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bendable, by Horse Greeley Last 3 Beyers: 85-88-97

◗ Based on pedigree, turf is fine for Bendable. Her dam, Bend, won three on turf and produced three multiple turf winners (Salvar, Escapist, Fueled by Bourbon). Bendable also is a full sibling to Grade 3 winner Clearly Now, who earned more than $1.1 million.

◗ Mike Smith, who rode Bendable to two stakes victories, regains the mount.

Coniah, by Harlington Last 3 Beyers: 94-97-88

◗ Two starts on the Santa Anita hill last spring produced runner-up finishes in the Grade 2 Monrovia and $84,00 Mizdirection Stakes.

◗ Kent Desormeaux is her rider.

Anita Partner, by Majestic Warrior Last 3 Beyers: 82-88-95

◗ Horse-for-course Anita Partner’s five downhill starts produced three wins (disqualified to second once) and two thirds.

◗ Jeff Mullins trains Anita Partner, whose rider is Tyler Baze.