Apple Blossom

Saturday’s Apple Blossom H. (G1) lost a bit of its luster with the non-entry
of Round Pond (Awesome Again). Many were looking forward to a rematch between
the bay four-year-old and HAPPY TICKET (Anet) after their Azeri Breeders’ Cup S.
(G3) battle but, alas, it just was not meant to happen in this 8 1/2-furlong
test. That doesn’t mean the two won’t meet up again sometime in the near future,
but for now they will go separate ways.

The rematch may not take place in the Apple Blossom, but that doesn’t mean
this Oaklawn Park event will just be a walkover for Happy Ticket. A star-studded
cast of six has been entered and any one of the field could come out on top
here. We’re tabbing STAR PARADE (Arg) (Parade Marshal) to take her dirt win
streak to three on Saturday.

Trained by Darrell Vienna, the veteran seven-year-old is looking to improve
on her neck second in the Apple Blossom last year. She ran just behind the pace
then, getting up to just miss at the wire, and seemed to go on a slump in her
next four races. After a slight rest, the dark bay mare returned in the fall to
just miss by 1 1/4 lengths back in third in the Las Palmas H. (G2). She finally
broke through with her first win since the 2004 Milady Breeders’ Cup H. (G1),
taking the Bayakoa S. (G2) on the main track by four lengths, but returned to
the turf and threw in an off-the-board finish in the San Gorgonio H. (G2).

Star Parade made her last start in the Santa Maria H. (G1) and scored by two
lengths after dueling with the early pacesetter. She earned a 104 BRIS Speed
rating for that victory as well as a 109 BRIS E2 Pace figure, and has been
working well on Santa Anita’s training track of late to prepare for this one.
Martin Pedroza has the return call, and we think the two will find themselves in
the winner’s circle yet again.

Happy Ticket was a gutsy second in the Azeri last out, battling with Round
Pond all the way around before just missing by a neck. The Andrew Leggio Jr.
charge made her 2006 bow in the Louisiana Premier Night Distaff S. a winning
one, scoring by 5 1/2 lengths, before trying the Azeri last out. She earned
triple-digit BRIS Speed and Late Pace ratings for both of those starts, and the
bay mare is looking to get back to her winning ways once again in this spot.
Robby Albarado will be back in the irons and the two could overhaul Star Parade
right before the wire.

PLATINUM BALLET (Skip Away) garnered a 100 Speed rating for her third in the
Azeri last out and also earned a 113 Late Pace figure for that effort.
Conditioned by Donnie Von Hemel, the gray five-year-old posted her first stakes
win in the Iowa Distaff Breeders’ Cup S. last July, which was also her final
race of 2005. Returning this season, she captured an allowance at Oaklawn prior
to finishing third in the Pippin S. and Azeri. Platinum Ballet has shown steady
improvement in each start and could be ready to add a first graded win to her
record. Clifton Berry has the call.

SPUN SUGAR (Awesome Again) made her final start last year a second in the
Alabama S. (G1) in late August, and returned to take an optional claimer at
Gulfstream Park in early March by 4 1/4 lengths. Our only knock against the Todd
Pletcher trainee is her numbers, as she only earned a 93 Speed rating and an 82
Late Pace figure for her last one. She could still show up in the top three,
though, so include in the exotics.

LA REASON (Labeeb [GB]) was fourth in the Azeri last out and captured the
Pippin prior to that one. The bay mare will be competitive in here, but might
not have enough to hold on for the win against these. HOLLYWOOD STORY (Wild Rush)
finished third to Star Parade in the Santa Maria most recently but is slightly
inconsistent. We’ll just watch for now.