Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted July 27, 2019 Journalists Share Posted July 27, 2019 The top three finishers in the June 1 GII Santa Maria S. at Santa Anita, led by winner La Force (Ger) (Power {GB}), will face off again Sunday in the GI Clement L. Hirsch S. at Del Mar, a “Win and You’re In” event for the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Runner-up to champion Unique Bella (Tapit) in this event last year, La Force was second in the GI Zenyatta S. in September and off the board in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November. The dark bay kicked off 2019 with a well-beaten second behind Paradise Woods (Union Rags) in the Apr. 27 GII Santa Margarita S. After romping by eight lengths in the Santa Margarita, Paradise Woods completed the exacta last time in the Santa Maria. The dual Grade I victress was winless in three starts in 2018 and was transferred from Richard Mandella to John Shireffs this season. Last in the Santa Monica to kick off this season, she was third in the GI Beholder Mile S. June 2. Santa Maria third-place finisher Just a Smidge (Into Mischief) was sixth in the GII Great Lady M. S. at Los Alamitos July 6. Her last visit to the winner’s circle was in a Feb. 7 allowance and she was off the board in both the Beholder Mile and Santa Margarita. Beholder Mile heroine Secret Spice (Discreet Cat) also returns in this spot off a runner-up effort in the GI La Troienne S. at Churchill Downs May 3. Prior to her top-level triumph, she finished third behind Just a Smidge in the aforementioned Feb. 7 test. Also worth a look at a price is Ollie’s Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}), who won the GII Summertime Oaks in her lone start on dirt last summer. Missing by just a neck in both the GII San Clemente S. and GI Del Mar Oaks on turf last term for previous trainer William Morey, she was off the board in the grassy GI Gamely S. May 27 and improved to be second in the GIII Wilshire S. on the Arcadia lawn last time June 22. The post Santa Maria Top Three Rematch in Clement Hirsch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.