Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Barbara Beatrice stands out
ARCADIA, Calif. – Barbara Beatrice had a brief, but effective, 2017 campaign last fall, highlighted by a win in the California Distaff Handicap for statebred fillies and mares on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in October.
The performance makes Barbara Beatrice a leading contender for her 2018 debut in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint for California-breds at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside course Saturday at Santa Anita.
Barbara Beatrice’s main rival is Miss Sunset, the winner of the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland in October who finished eighth in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Dec. 26.
The Filly and Mare Turf Sprint, which drew a field of eight, is the richest stakes for females on the 10-race program, which includes four stakes for California-breds.
The Filly and Mare Turf Sprint is the day’s third race. The sixth race is the first running of the $100,000 California Cup Turf Sprint for 3-yearolds on the hillside course.
FILLY AND MARE TURF SPRINT KEY CONTENDERS
Barbara Beatrice, by Grazen Last 3 Beyers: 85-86-84
◗ Trained by Phil D’Amato, Barbara Beatrice was sidelined by minor injuries for much of 2017. The California Distaff Handicap was her first start of the year followed by a second in the Betty Grable Stakes on dirt at Del Mar in November.
“She’s run a few good races in a row,” said D’Amato, who co-owns Barbara Beatrice with Becky Wanta.
◗ Barbara Beatrice has a two-race winning streak on the hillside course, including a win in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option in October 2016.
◗ A 6-year-old, Barbara Beatrice has not raced since the Betty Grable Stakes, a point that does not concern D’Amato. He was left impressed by the mare’s recent workouts on the infield training track.
“She’s been fantastic,” D’Amato said.
Miss Sunset, by Into Mischief Last 3 Beyers: 47-89-89
◗ The speedy Miss Sunset has won six stakes in her 12-race career, including the Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies against open company on the hillside turf course last February. In the La Brea at seven furlongs on dirt, Miss Sunset broke from the rail and was near the front for a quartermile before fading.
“She grabbed a quarter leaving the gate,” trainer Jeff Bonde said. “She was stuck inside and didn’t like to be rated. She likes the lead better.”
◗ Bonde said the foot injury is well behind Miss Sunset, who could prove dangerous on the front Saturday. She has won two of three career starts on turf.
“She’s versatile,” Bonde said. “She’s run well on grass.”
TURF SPRINT KEY CONTENDERS
Heck Yeah, by Acclamation Beyer: 78
◗ Heck Yeah and Raven Creek, maiden-race winners in their last starts, will feature prominently in the betting along with the two-time stakes winner Bookies Luck. All have shown considerable speed.
◗ Heck Yeah won a maiden race in his debut, and only start, at 5 1/2 furlongs Dec. 7 at Los Alamitos, finishing 5 1/2 lengths clear of Raven Creek, another leading contender in the Turf Sprint. Trained by Bob Baffert, Heck Yeah disputed the pace throughout before pulling away.
Raven Creek, by Old Fashioned Last 3 Beyers: 77-65-70
◗ Raven Creek won a maiden race on the hillside turf course in his sixth start Jan. 1, dueling for the lead throughout.
“It’s was a long time coming,” trainer Jeff Mullins said. “Hopefully, he’s found his niche.”
◗ Raven Creek has shown speed in several starts, but is not one-dimensional, Mullins said.
“It depends on how the pace scenario sets up,” he said.
Bookies Luck, by Lucky Pulpit Last 3 Beyers: 58-77-77
◗ Bookies Luck won consecutive stakes in sprints for California-breds in late summer and fall before finishing sixth in the King Glorious Stakes for statebreds at a mile Dec. 16 at Los Alamitos.
◗ Bonde said Bookies Luck proved too tough for jockey Kent Desormeaux to rate.
“Kent said he went to war and tried to teach him to rate – and lost the war,” Bonde said.
◗ Bonde expects Bookies Luck to be prominent early in his turf debut in the Turf Sprint.
“He has a mind of his own,” Bonde said of the colt.