Ragazza Di Vola looks tough against statebred company

DEL MAR, Calif. – A multiple winner in claiming company looks awfully tough when matched against first-level allowance company, and that scenario is what makes Ragazza Di Vola appear to be the one to beat in Thursday’s featured race 7 at Del Mar.

Ragazza Di Vola has won five times in 23 starts, and though she’s winless in four tries since being claimed by trainer John Martin, she exits an open race and now moves into a race restricted to California-breds in which the nine rivals who drew into the main body of the field all own one victory each.

“She needs to get into the right spot,” Martin said. This might be it. Ragazza Di Vola was hampered by a soft pace in her last start, at Golden Gate. There appears to be enough speed in Thursday’s race to give her a fair shot.

There were 14 older fillies and mares entered in the one-mile grass race, but with the rails set at 30 feet, only 10 can run, so four wound up on the alsoeligible list.

Among the main challengers to Ragazza Di Vola are Easy Song and X S Gold, both of whom scored victories against maidens over this course last year.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ragazza Di Vola, by Acclamation Last 3 Beyers: 69-71-81

◗ She has been facing better company of late, but never has finished in the money in three prior tries on Del Mar’s turf. Easy Song, by Thorn Song Last 3 Beyers: 73-72-70

◗ A front-running winner here last summer, she was off for more than 10 months before finishing fourth in a downhill turf sprint last month at Santa Anita.

X S Gold, by Golden Balls Last 3 Beyers: 79-77-59

◗ Like Easy Song, she prefers to be prominent early, and she scored a gate-to-wire victory against maidens here during the fall meet.

◗ She was a narrowly beaten second in a similar race last time out at Santa Anita.

Nice Ice, by Northern Afleet Last 3 Beyers: 72-71-53

◗ She prevailed against open company in her maiden win and then was sixth in a minor stakes coming down the hill at Santa Anita, after which she was freshened.

“We gave her time because we wanted to wait and run here,” said her trainer, Brian Koriner. “We took a shot last time down the hill against open company, but this is what she wants,” he said, referring to statebred company.

A Walk in the Park, by Unusual Heat Last 3 Beyers: 68-64-51

◗ She makes her first start for trainer Phil D’Amato after a private purchase by co-owner Agave Racing Stable. “She’s a typical Unusual Heat filly – tough, gritty, a lot of personality to her,” D’Amato said.