Santa Margarita Attracts A Fine Cast
A fine field of fillies and mares are set to contend the weekend feature at Santa Anita, the $300,000 Santa Margarita S. (G1). This 1 1/8 miles affair could be led by champion My Miss Aurelia, the multiple Grade 1 vixen from the barn of Steve Asmussen. The four-year-old daughter of Smart Strike won her first six races but rides a two-race losing streak in here, though she has hardly run bad in those defeats. A close third in the La Brea S. (G1) last time at seven furlongs, the filly gets more ground to work with on this day and should be plenty fresh coming off of some solid morning moves. Expect the lass to be forwardly placed today.
The John Sadler-trained More Chocolate surely took to the main oval in her dirt debut last time when rolling home a fine winner of the La Canada S. (G2) here, and the daughter of Malibu Moon could be any kind following her last one. La Brea S. (G1) queen Book Review has run big in a trio of outings since coming out west for trainer Bob Baffert, and the daughter of Giant’s Causeway never runs a bad race. Joyful Victory was a facile stakes winner at Sam Houston last out and was a huge second in a Grade 1 race here in her lone try here for trainer Larry Jones. Santa Maria S. (G2) upsetter Great Hot, the impressive Maker of Breaker and outsider The Only Key are likely to round out the field.
The Saturday undercard will be led by the 1 ½-mile, $150,000 San Luis Rey S. (G2). Defending champ Bourbon Bay, the rising Bright Thought, the hard-trying Interaction, San Marcos S. (G2) star Slim Shadey, San Marcos third All Squared Away, and possibly Grade 3 winner Dhaamer, unraced since a troubled second in the Del Mar H. (G2) in the summer, will lead the field.