Starlet hopefuls take to the track

Last updated: 12/5/10 6:52 PM

Turbulent Descent will attempt to keep her record perfect in the Starlet
(Benoit Photos)

Undefeated TURBULENT DESCENT (Congrats), the probable favorite for
Saturday’s $250,000 Hollywood Starlet (G1), worked five Cushion Track furlongs in 1:00
4/5 under jockey David Flores on Sunday at Hollywood Park to the satisfaction of trainer Mike Puype.

“Perfect; she’s ready to go,” Puype said of the juvenile filly, who scored
her second effortless win in the seven-furlong Moccasin S. on November 21. The
bay miss opened her account with a three-quarter length victory going six
furlongs on October 3 during the Oak Tree meet.

“I’m not even worried about two turns, not with her,” Puype added,
speaking about the scheduled 1 1/16-mile distance of the Starlet. “She’s so relaxed and tactical, she does everything like a distance
horse. And she likes to win.”

Two other Starlet candidates also worked on Sunday at Hollywood.

Sharp Cat S. romper MAY DAY ROSE (Rockport Harbor) drilled a bullet
six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 under jockey Rafael Bejarano for trainer Bob Baffert,
while BIG TIZ (Tiznow), third in the Sharp Cat for trainer
Mark Glatt, drilled five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 with Alonso Quinonez aboard.

Other probable starters include Darley Debutante (G1) winner Tell a Kelly
(Tapit), Sharp Cat runner-up True Way of Grace (Yes It’s True) and newcomers
Luna Grande (Mass Media) and Glorious Song S. second Nina Fever (Borrego).

Luna Grande was scheduled to arrive at Hollywood later Sunday in the Kristin Mulhall
barn from Calder after being purchased privately for owner Jim Hess of Chester
Springs, Pennsylvania.

“We finished the deal Friday,” Mulhall said of the Florida-bred filly, who
exits a 5 3/4-length allowance victory at the Miami Gardens venue going 5 1/2
furlongs on November 20.

Nina Fever has already taken up residence at Hollywood Park, even working
a couple of times on the Cushion Track for trainer Wesley Ward since joining the
Blake Heap stable from Kentucky.