Providencia

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Eleven sophomore fillies will line up to contest the grassy $100,000 Providencia
S. (G3) on Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby (G1) undercard, and turf
specialist VALBENNY (Ire) (Val Royal [Fr]) looks to score a third straight stakes victory
here.

The Paddy Gallagher charge
began her current win streak in Great Britain, then had a four-month break
before making her U.S. debut at Hollywood Park, taking the Miesque S. (G3). She
earned a 110 BRIS Late Pace rating in the Miesque while defeating fellow Providencia
starters SUPER FREAKY (Smart Strike), MYSTIC SOUL (Bahri) and PASSIFIED (GB) (Compton
Place) at this distance. Most recently, she captured the Blue Norther S. and could return a winner with jockey
Jose Valdivia Jr. in the saddle.

Santa Anita Oaks (G1)
runner-up SILVER SWALLOW (Alphabet Soup) will be making her turf debut in this
spot. She broke her maiden in her second start, but was placed third
via disqualification, and returned next out to officially earn her first win by two lengths.
Making her stakes bow
in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) last out, she led in the early
going before winding up second to the ultra-impressive Rags to Riches (A.P.
Indy). Silver Swallow has never been off the board in her four-race career, and
we expect her to challenge here.

Mystic Soul is exiting a solid fourth in the China Doll S. When making her
first start for conditioner Jeff Mullins in the Miesque last fall, she was second,
beaten just three parts of a length by our top selection. Mystic Soul then tried
the Cushion Track in the Hollywood Starlet S. (G1) and finished a creditable fifth.
The bay miss could rally for third with regular rider Aaron Gryder aboard.

Passified is a perfect two-for-two on this course, taking an
allowance/optional claiming event and the China Doll. The chestnut miss may try
to take this field from gate-to-wire and could fill
out the exotics. GOTTA HAVE HER (Royal Academy) will probably challenge Passified for the lead,
but already ran third to that rival in the China Doll. She could earn part under
Richard Migliore.

COURTWOOD (GB) (Noverre) was second to our top pick in the Blue Norther, but
regressed when fifth in the China Doll. She may not be able to keep up against
these. Super Freaky took the about 6 1/2-furlong La Habra S. last out by 1 1/4 lengths,
and may prefer shorter distances. Group 3 winner PRINCESS IRIS (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire])
was fifth while making her U.S. debut in the La Habra last out and may need more
time to acclimate herself to her new surroundings.

ASHLEY’S KITTY (Tale of the Cat) is undefeated from two career starts and
has picked a tough spot to make her stakes and turf bow. We’ll give her a race. MACADAMIA’s (Artax)
only win has come against maiden claimers on the main track. She probably can’t
handle these. SLEW O’ PLATINUM (Stephen Got Even) appears out of her class.