Gorgeous Ginny not short on talent

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gorgeous Ginny scored a dazzling win in a maiden race for California-breds in her debut on May 4. Two months later, she could become the first 2-year-old filly to win a stakes this year in Southern California.

Gorgeous Ginny will be favored in Sunday’s $100,000 Landaluce Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita. Owned by Randy Howg, Gorgeous Ginny had the widest winning margin – 5 1/4 lengths – of the fillies in the Landaluce Stakes and has worked well in recent weeks, notably five furlongs in 59.40 seconds on June 17.

“For a 2-year-old, I think she’ll grow and mature,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said. “She handled the race well mentally and physically.”

The Landaluce Stakes is the

only stakes on Sunday’s program. The $100,000 Santa Anita Juvenile was scheduled for Sunday but was not used after drawing only five entries. The race may be run on Monday or Tuesday, the final two days of the springsummer meeting.

Gorgeous Ginny is part of a field of six, five of whom have won. Sauce On Side, who drew the rail, is a first-time starter and one of two runners trained by Peter Miller. He also starts Surrender Now, a two-length winner in her debut on June 9.

Completing the field are Empress of Lov, who won a maiden race for California-bred fillies on June 16, and Spirit of Shanghai, who won a $40,000 claimer for maidens on June 18.

KEY CONTENDERS

Gorgeous Ginny, by Take Charge Indy Beyer: 75

◗ Gorgeous Ginny is likely to set the pace in the Landaluce Stakes. She led throughout her maiden-race win under jockey Jamie Theriot, who has the mount on Sunday.

“I don’t think we’ll change much,” Diodoro said. “She came out of the race really well and has worked very strong since the race.”

Bonneville Flats, by Flat Out

◗ Bonneville Flats won her debut by a half-length in a maiden race at 4 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland on April 13 when trained by John Hancock. At the time, the filly raced under the name Flat Drunk, which was changed after John and Jerry Amerman bought her.

“They didn’t think the name was appropriate,” trainer David Hofmans said.

◗ Bonneville Flats, who closed from fourth in a field of eight to win her debut, will start from the outside post.

“She’s tried hard,” Hofmans said. “I’ve had her since two weeks after her win. She’s done things right and worked well in company.”

Surrender Now, by Morning Line Beyer: 68

◗ Surrender Now disputed the pace in her debut.

“I think she’s got a good chance,” Miller said. “This is not an easy race. The Diodoro filly looks nice. I’m hopeful she can continue to move forward.”