Stretch-Out in Santa Maria Should Fit 'Fashion

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(from Santa Anita notes)
Island Fashion seeks her third consecutive grade I victory in Monday's $250,000 Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

Island Fashion, assigned high weight of 121 pounds for the Santa Maria, blew out three furlongs Friday morning in :36 4/5, breezing.

Island Fashion's last two victories came at seven furlongs, in the La Brea Stakes on Dec. 27 and the Santa Monica Handicap on Jan. 25. Trainer Marcelo Polanco thinks the added distance of the Santa Maria is ideal for the 4-year-old daughter of Petionville.

"This distance is much better for her," Polanco said. "Going seven-eighths, she has to force herself a lot more. A mile and a sixteenth she can take a little breather and will be a lot more dangerous going long. Going six or seven furlongs you have to come out of the gate well and get a good position right away."

Island Fashion has a 5-1-0 record from 11 starts, with earnings of $1,262,970 for Minnesota owner Jeffrey Nielsen, and his Everest Stables, Inc.

Probable for the Santa Maria: Adoration, Mike Smith, 120; Angel Gift, Gary Stevens, 112; Bare Necessities, Valdivia, 118; Island Fashion, Kent Desormeaux, 121; La Tour, Alex Solis, 112; Preeminance, no rider, 117; and Star Parade, Victor Espinoza.

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