Champion two-year-old SWEET CATOMINE (Storm Cat) heads a field of seven in
Sunday’s $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1). The 1 1/16-mile contest for
three-year-old fillies could serve as a major stepping stone for the Kentucky Oaks (G1),
assuming the likely post-time favorite does not take on the boys in the Kentucky
Derby (G1) come the first weekend in May. The Julio Canani-conditioned miss, who
exits a 2 1/2-length victory in January’s Santa Ysabel S. (G3), will be
re-united with Corey Nakatani, who was aboard for the bay’s victory in the
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) but missed the Santa Ysabel due to injury.
Also entered in Sunday’s race is the Grade 2-placed MEMORETTE (Memo [Chi]),
who finished second most recently in the Las Virgenes S. (G1). The sophomore
lass will have regular rider Kent Desormeaux in the irons. In addition, Las Virgenes third-placer CHARMING COLLEEN (Charismatic) and SHE SINGS (Petionville),
fresh off a win in the Arizona Oaks, are lined up for the Santa Anita Oaks.
The entire field, from the rail out with pilots, is Sweet Catomine; Memorette; She
Sings, Jon Court; FEEL THE HEAT (Unusual Heat), Alex Solis; GUARANTEED VICTORY
(Smart Strike), Rene Douglas; Charming Colleen, Pat Valenzuela; and CREAM DONUT
KEITH (Lion Hearted), Tyler Baze.
All carry 121 pounds.