Sightseek Picks Paceless Spot for Return

(from Santa Anita notes)
Sightseek hasn't run since finishing a disappointing fourth, beaten 10 ½ lengths as the 3-5 favorite, in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) last Oct. 25, but Bobby Frankel is unconcerned about her going seven furlongs in a tough field after a three-month layoff.

The Hall of Fame trainer said Wednesday he felt she had enough speed to be close, if necessary, in Sunday's $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I). Sightseek is winless in four starts at Santa Anita but was second three times, including last year's Santa Monica, when she was beaten a half-length by Affluent.

The Santa Monica could be lacking in pace except for Island Fashion, who is coming off a smashing six-length victory in the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on Dec. 27.

Probable for the Santa Monica: Buffythecenterfold, Matt Garcia, 114; Got Koko, Alex Solis, 119; Island Fashion, Kent Desormeaux, 120; Sightseek, Jerry Bailey, 122; and Sparkling Ava, Victor Espinoza, 109.

Ema Bovary will pass the race and go in Saturday's $60,000 Orinda Handicap at Golden Gate, trainer Larry Ross said.

"It's really a tough race so we'll stay here," Ross said from his Bay Area headquarters. "If she does OK in the Orinda, we'll aim for the Las Flores down there in February."

The Las Flores (gr. III) is a $125,000 race for older fillies and mares at six furlongs on Feb. 22.

Ema Bovary has won six in a row but the 5-year-old Chilean-bred mare has never run in a graded race in the united States.

Got Koko worked five furlongs Tuesday in :59 4/5 for Bruce Headley.

"It's a small field but even if there's not much pace, we've got to let her do her own thing," said Alex Solis, who rides Got Koko.