Island Fashion Preps for Santa Monica

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Multiple grade I winner Island Fashion, getting ready to defend her title in Sunday's Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I), worked a bullet :46 4/5 over Santa Anita's fast main track Monday morning. The mare's move was one of five best of the 38 horses who went the distance on the day.

The 5-year-old daughter of Petionville   developed a quarter crack about two weeks ago and missed some training, trainer Marcelo Polanco revealed, but the conditioner doesn't feel the injury will compromise her chances in the seven furlong, $250,000 event.

"She missed a few days, but she was training super before so it shouldn't be a big deal," Polanco said. "You always hate to miss any training, but I think it'll be OK."

Island Fashion, who has earned $1,727,970 from a career line of 17-6-2-0, won last year's Santa Monica as well as 2003's La Brea Stakes (gr. I) and Alabama Stakes (gr. I). She also won three other black-type events and placed in one other.

Polanco also said Patrick Valenzuela will be in the saddle for Sunday's main event.

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