Grade 1 winner SHARP LISA (Dixieland Band), unraced since mid-April, rates as
one of the top contenders in Saturday’s $250,000 La Brea S.
(G1) at Santa Anita. Winner of the Las Virgenes S. (G1) and Santa Ynez S. (G2) over
the track earlier this year, the classy Doug O’Neill charge will face 13
sophomore rivals in her comebacker. She drew the rail with Corey Nakatani.
Test S. (G1) heroine LEAVE ME ALONE (Bold Badgett) merits serious respect in
the seven-furlong heat. Trained by Eric Kruljac, the chestnut miss has also
captured the Azalea Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) and Melair S. this season and didn’t
show her true colors when finishing eighth over an off track in October’s Raven
Run S. (G2) most recently. The La Brea marks the Grade 1 bow for TRICKLE OF GOLD
(Formal Gold), who will bring Jeremy Rose along for the ride. The Michael
Gorham-trained lass has dominated her opposition in Delaware and Maryland this
year and presently owns a six-race win skein, including victories in the Safely
Kept Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) and Anne Arundel S.
Other notables include Grade 2 winners THREE DEGREES (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire])
and SHINING ENERGY (Rahy), and the well-regarded MY MISS STORM CAT (Sea of
Secrets), a six-length allowance winner at Del Mar in her only start this
season.
The complete cast, from the rail with riders and imposts, is Sharp Lisa, 121;
My Miss Storm Cat, Pat Valenzuela, 117; SIMPLY BECAUSE (Seattle Slew), David
Flores, 117; Three Degrees, Alex Solis, 119; BERBATIM (Bernstein), Tyler Baze,
119; RESIDENT ALIEN (Bertrando), Victor Espinoza, 117; GREAT INTENTIONS (Cat
Thief), Jon Court, 119; Shining Energy, Tony Farina, 119; Trickle of Gold, 119;
MYSTIC CHANT (Unbridled’s Song), Jose Valdivia Jr., 119; THRILLING VICTORY
(Event of the Year), Martin Pedroza, 119; SOLDIER’S KISS (One Man Army), David
Cohen, 119; Leave Me Alone, Kent Desormeaux, 123; and PUSSYCAT DOLL (Real
Quiet), Garrett Gomez, 119.
Great Intentions and Mystic Chant will race coupled.
Earlier on the program, 13 fillies and mares will sprint about 6 1/2 grassy
furlongs down the hill in the $100,000
Monrovia H. (G3). Three-time Grade 3
winner ELUSIVE DIVA (Elusive Quality), a good second in the one-mile Las Palmas
H. (G2) last out at Hollywood Park, is the one to beat with Valenzuela. The
four-year-old filly recorded a sharp three-length score over Santa Anita’s
downhill course in the Senator Ken Maddy H. (G3) two starts back. Her opponents
include RESPLENDENCY (Tale of the Cat), BENEFICIAL BARTOK (Bartok [Ire]) and GUIDEBOOK
(Notebook).