SANTA MONICA TOPS BIG SATURDAY AT THE GREAT RACE PLACE

SANTA MONICA TOPS BIG SATURDAY AT THE GREAT RACE PLACE

The $300,000 Santa Monica S. (G1) headlines a five-pack of stakes races at Santa Anita on Saturday. Recent La Brea S. (G1) victress Teddy's Promise will aim to prove her sublime score here last month was no fluke for trainer Ron Ellis. The rapidly improving daughter of Salt Lake hails from a really hot barn and has an obvious affinity for this oval, bagging two in a row here.

Sugarinthemorning was a fine second in the La Brea and can't be ignored for conditioner Ron McAnally. The Cal-bred daughter of Candy Ride has the speed to be in the hunt from the opening bell in this one. Rumor has won a pair of stakes races in succession and looms large with another step forward for Richard Mandella. La Brea fourth Home Sweet Aspen and Grade 1-placed Big Tiz also deserve a long look in this spot.

Sophomore fillies will travel 1 1/16 miles in Saturday's $100,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3). The top pair from the Hollywood Starlet S. (G1), Killer Graces and Charm the Maker, are expected to lead the way in this affair. The former has steadily improved for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and will make her local debut in this spot. The chestnut daughter of Congaree should be in the hunt from the opening bell.

Charm the Maker is bred to be real nice and is progressing as a good one for McAnally. The daughter of Empire Maker seems poised for a big breakthrough race soon. Blue Norther S. heroine Lady of Shamrock couldn't have been more impressive than she was on the lawn last time, and deserves a chance to see if she can duplicate that showing on dirt for trainer John Sadler. The well-bred Batalha was a good second on the lawn last time and is kin to Grade 2 winner Strong Contender, who thrived on the main oval.

Also on Sunday are the $100,000 Crystal Water S., $100,000 Sensational Star S. and the $100,000 Valentine Dancer S.