Little Voice can make big noise

ARCADIA, Calif. – The hillside turf course at Santa Anita has been used less often this wet winter – only 27 turf sprints have been run, compared with 37 during the same period last year.

But spring seems to have returned, the rain is gone for now, and Santa Anita will make up for missed opportunities with a bevy of turf sprints this week, including three on Thursday, two on Friday, and the $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes on Saturday.

A $75,000 maiden-claiming turf sprint Thursday will be run in two divisions. Street to Indy is a reasonable choice in race 2; Cut is the day’s most probable winner in race 5.

Meanwhile, the deepest field

Thursday is in race 7, a firstlevel optional-claiming race for fillies and mares at about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill. Thirteen were entered, 11 can start.

Tale of Papa Nick, entered for the optional $40,000 claim tag, is the only entrant who has won on the hill (three wins). Little Voice makes her second U.S. start after a promising comeback; the 5-for-10 pro Plastered shortens up in distance; Longstocking is a trouble-prone closer.

Turf-sprint favorites this winter are 6 for 18 on firm turf and 1 for 9 on “good” turf. The course is fair to most styles, though most winners are in the first flight and within three lengths of the lead at the dirt crossing. Notwithstanding the lean toward tactical speed, only three turf sprints this winter were won by the pacesetter.

If she improves from her thirdplace U.S. debut in November at Del Mar, Little Voice could be formidable. However, she will rally from behind in a race short on pace. That scenario may benefit pace presser Discatson-thesquare.

KEY CONTENDERS

Little Voice, by Scat Daddy Beyer: 81

◗ She won 2 of 10 in England. In her U.S. debut for trainer Ben Cecil, she missed by only 1 1/4 lengths, finishing third.

◗ Little Voice will benefit from the additional distance, stretching out from five furlongs to 6 1/2.

Plastered, by Wilburn Last 3 Beyers: 80-77-71

◗ Her five wins are the most in the field.

◗ She was claimed for $40,000 in November by Jerry Hollendorfer. This is her first start since.

Longstocking, by Into Mischief Last 3 Beyers: 76-83-82

◗ She has finished in the money in all four of her allowance turf sprints but often finds trouble.

Tale of Papa Nick, by Papa Clem Last 3 Beyers: 80-76-71

◗ Her fifth-place finish last out in a $150,000 stakes for California-bred fillies and mares and her proven record on the hill make her a contender.