Luck seems on Miss Fia’s side

ARCADIA, Calif. – Miss Fia won her debut in a $40,000 claimer for maidens at Santa Anita on Jan. 6 with little difficulty. The 3-year-old filly led throughout and won by 2 3/4 lengths.

Trainer David Hofmans said he was fortunate Miss Fia was not claimed.

“In the morning, she had a couple of decent works and I [was] exposed,” he said. “I was surprised. They claimed a few out of there.”

Miss Fia cannot be claimed when she starts Thursday in Santa Anita’s seventh race, a starter allowance with a $50,000 claiming option for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. Of the eight fillies in the field, three are eligible to be claimed.

The starter-optional claimer is the leading race on an eightrace program that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific. There are no allowance races on the card, the first of five through Monday, Presidents Day.

KEY CONTENDERS

Miss Fia, by Maclean’s Music Beyer: 71

◗ Owned by Tarabilla Farms, Miss Fia drew the outside post in Thursday’s field and will be ridden by Agapito Delgadillo, who was aboard for the maiden win. Miss Fia could be well positioned as a stalker if the pace is quick.

“I like that,” Hofmans said of the draw.

◗ Miss Fia has worked three times since her debut. She qualified for Thursday’s race because she has not won two races.

“She’s doing great,” Hofmans said. “She looks good.” Twirling Devon, by Twirling Candy Last 3 Beyers: 63-53-58

◗ Twirling Devon is the lone stakes winner in the field, having won the $30,000 Arizona Juvenile Fillies Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Turf Paradise on Dec. 29. Trained by Manuel Ortiz, Twirling Devon has won 2 of 5 starts and is entered to be claimed Thursday.

◗ Twirling Devon ran at Turf Paradise and Emerald Downs last year. She was second in the Barbara Shinpoch Stakes at Emerald Downs in August.

Rather Nosy, by Majesticperfection Last 3 Beyers: 61-64-60

◗ Rather Nosy won a $30,000 claimer for maidens going 5 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 21, the day she was claimed by Jack Carava. Previously trained by Simon Callaghan, Rather Nosy was ridden by Joel Rosario for the maiden win. Rosario retains the mount on the filly, who may be close to the pace.

Kate’s Princess, by Lucky Pulpit Last 3 Beyers: 52-53-66

◗ Kate’s Princess is eligible for this starter-optional claimer after finishing third in a $32,000 claimer for maidens in her debut at Del Mar on Nov. 9. A month later, Kate’s Princess won a maiden special weight race going six furlongs by 2 1/4 lengths.

◗ Trained by Craig Dollase, Kate’s Princess has since finished fourth and sixth in starter allowances on dirt and turf. She was hampered by a poor start when sixth on Jan. 21.

◗ Kate’s Princess worked a half-mile in a sharp 46.80 seconds from the gate on Friday.