Time for Kisses meets old rivals

DEL MAR, Calif. – The California-bred 2-year-old filly division has changed significantly since Time for Kisses won a maiden race at Santa Anita on Memorial Day.

Time for Kisses will start for the first time since that race in Wednesday’s $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar. Two of her main rivals are fillies she beat on May 28 – Lippy and Naughty Tiger.

Lippy has subsequently won twice – a maiden race at Santa Anita on June 14 and the Juan Gonzalez Stakes at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meeting in Northern California on June 30. Naughty Tiger, who finished third on May 28, won her next start in a maiden race on June 14.

“Lippy flattered our race,” said Gary Sherlock, who trains Time for Kisses for the partnership of Tom London, Gary Lovingier, and Eugene Zondlo.

In the CTBA Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs, those three have formidable rivals in Accomplishedsister, who was second in the Gonzalez; Cozze Kid, who has raced only against males; and Scatapulp, winner of a maiden race at Los Alamitos on June 28.

KEY CONTENDERS

Time for Kisses, by Time to Get Even Beyers: 59-44

◗ Time for Kisses started for the second time on May 28. She stalked the pace before taking a commanding lead in the final furlong.

“She’s got a good style,” Sherlock said. “She doesn’t have to be on the lead.”

◗ The gap between races concerns Sherlock.

“I hope the 60 days isn’t too long,” he said. “It could be too long.”

Lippy, by Square Eddie Last 3 Beyers: 58-49-51

◗ Lippy disputed the pace in the five-runner Gonzalez Memorial at 5 1/2 furlongs before winning by 1 1/4 lengths over Accomplishedsister. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Lippy has raced near the front in her wins.

“I think she’s got tactical speed,” O’Neill said. “She’s not a horse that needs the lead.”

Accomplishedsister, by Acclamation Beyers: 55-54

◗ Accomplishedsister beat maidens at Golden Gate Fields on June 9 in her debut. In the Gonzalez, Accomplishedsister closed from third to finish more than a length clear of thirdplace finisher River of Doubt.

“If we improve, I think she has a chance,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “She’s been very good and doing things very easily.”

Cozze Kid, by Shanghai Kid Beyers: 53-70

◗ Cozze Kid will have her third start in the CTBA Stakes. She cruised to a win in a maiden race against males at 4 1/2 furlongs by 8 3/4 lengths at Golden Gate Fields on May 4. In the Everett Nevin Stakes for California-breds at Pleasanton on July 7, Cozze Kid overcame a slow start to race as close as a half-length behind the leader before fading to finish fourth, 5 3/4 lengths behind winner Lucks Royal Flush.

Naughty Tiger, by Smiling Tiger Beyers: 51-45

◗ Naughty Tiger has set the pace in her two starts and could have the same role in this field under jockey Ruben Fuentes.