Ema Bovary Seeks Eighth Straight Win in Las Flores

Edited from Santa Anita reports
Ema Bovary goes after her eighth consecutive victory Sunday at Santa Anita Park when the Chilean-bred daughter of Edgy Diplomat faces six rivals in the $100,000 Las Flores Handicap (gr. III) for older fillies and mares at six furlongs.

A 5-year-old bay mare trained by Bay Area-based Larry Ross, Ema Bovary lost her first race in the United States, finishing seventh and last in the Richmond Handicap at Golden Gate on Feb. 16, 2003. But she had an excuse, wheeling at the start before closing more than 13 lengths in the six-furlong race. She has not lost since, even though she crossed the finish line second by a nose in the Kalookan Queen Handicap at Santa Anita last Dec. 31. She was advanced to first via disqualification of Royally Chosen for a bumping incident in deep stretch.

Ema Bovary, the high weight under 121 pounds in the 52nd running of the Las Flores, will be ridden by her regular rider, Roberto Gonzalez. Ema Bovary, owned by Richard T. Beal and Lana Ramsey, has a 10-2-0 record from 15 career starts with earnings of $233,562.

Ema Bovary's main challenger will be Buffythecenterfold, who was second to Island Fashion in the grade I Santa Monica Handicap in her last start, on Jan. 25. A 4-year-old daughter of Capote trained by Mel Stute, Buffythecenterfold broke from the No. 1 post position in the seven-furlong Santa Monica, compromising her chances of winning, according to Stute. Buffythecenterfold was beaten only three-quarters of a length. Buffythecenterfold has a 5-4-2 record from 14 starts with earnings of $500,975 for owners Brian Allen and Stronach Stables.

The field for the Las Flores:
1 -- Coconut Girl, Victor Espinoza, 113
2 -- Ema Bovary, Roberto Gonzalez, 121
3 -- Sarasota, Corey Nakatani, 114
4 -- Buffythecenterfold, Matt Garcia, 117
5 -- Channing Way, Glen Corbett, 116
6 -- Icantgoforthat, Tyler Baze, 115
7 -- Annabelly, Alex Solis, 114.