SANTA ANITA Lady Prancealot in softer spot

ARCADIA, Calif. – Eight weeks after a last-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs, Lady Prancealot starts in Sunday’s $75,000 Blue Norther Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

This time, Lady Prancealot will not be 62-1. This time, trainer Richard Baltas is confident Lady Prancealot can win her first stakes after secondplace stakes finishes at Del Mar and here earlier this year.

“Everyone gets excited about the Breeders’ Cup,” Baltas said. “The fact of the matter is it was a tough spot. The horse that won is so good.”

Lady Prancealot was at the back of the field of 14 throughout the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, and finished 20 1/4 lengths behind Newspaper of record, who prevailed by 6 3/4 lengths.

In the Blue Norther Stakes at a mile on turf, Lady Prancealot has drawn the rail in a field of eight. She is one of three stakesplaced runners in the field.

Splashy Kisses, who will make her turf debut Sunday, was second by 19 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 15 and eighth at 65-1 in the BC Juvenile Fillies there Nov. 2.

Courteous was second in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 24, her stakes debut and fourth start.

Three fillies each won a maiden special weight race in her last start – Data Storm Kitty in a dirt race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos on Dec. 7, Colonial Creek in a turf race at a mile at Del Mar on Nov. 10, and Giza Goddess in a turf race at Del Mar on Dec. 1.

The Blue Norther Stakes is the fourth race on a 10-race program that begins at noon Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Lady Prancealot, by Sir Prancealot Last 3 Beyers: 56-76-72

◗ Owned by Christopher Dunn, Jerry McClanahan, and Jeremy Peskoff, Lady Prancealot will be ridden for the first time by Joel Rosario, who replaces Joe Talamo. Talamo has the mount on Courteous.

◗ Lady Prancealot was beaten 1 1/4 lengths at 17-1 in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf on Sept. 3 and by a head in the Surfer Girl Stakes here Oct. 8.

◗ Lady Prancealot will benefit if a pace duel develops Sunday between Data Storm Kitty, Colonial Creed and Courteous.

“The race has a ton of speed,” Baltas said. “If she finishes like she did at Del Mar, I don’t think she gets beat.” Colonial Creed, by Jimmy Creed Last 3 Beyers: 78-57-78

◗ Colonial Creed, also trained by Baltas, led throughout her win on Nov. 10. This will be her stakes debut and fifth start.

“I hope she relaxes,” Baltas said.

Giza Goddess, by Cairo Prince Last 3 Beyers: 81-70-64

◗ Giza Goddess won by 5 1/4 lengths after setting the pace on Dec. 1 under jockey Brice Blanc, who has the mount Sunday.

◗ Trainer John Shirreffs is hoping Giza Goddess can be more patient Sunday.

“She showed speed because she was on the outside,” Shirreffs said of the maiden-race win.

“Brice had to ask her. She’s drawn well.”

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