Amorama Seeks Defense of Mabee Crown

Edited Del Mar release
Looking for her third victory over Del Mar's Jimmy Durante Turf Course, Amorama will take on six other fillies and mares in Saturday's 49th running of the grade I, $400,000 John C. Mabee Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the grass.

The Mabee will be run as the day's sixth of 10 races and will be part of a one-hour television presentation by ESPN.

The 5-year-old Amorama not only won the 2005 Mabee, but also preceded that with a victory in the grade I Del Mar Oaks in 2003, giving her a perfect two-for-two mark on the seaside turf course.

Amorama, whose running style features a burst of speed over the final quarter-mile, will be facing stiff competition in her effort to win for the first time in seven outings since last year's Mabee victory. Heading the spirited group of competitors will be the one-two-three finishers from Hollywood Park's grade II Beverly Hills Handicap: Memorette, who also has some history on the Durante turf, Live Life and Moscow Burning.

The 4-year-old Memorette finished in a dead heat for second in the 2005 grade II San Clemente Handicap at the beach in only her second try on the grass. She has two turf wins this year.

Moscow Burning, who was Cal-bred grass horse of the year for 2004, has chased Memorette home in their last two meetings, finishing third each time. The 6-year-old mare has career earnings of $1.3 million, putting her second to Island Fashion's $1.9 million among the entrants.

Though winless since May of 2005, Katdogawn could pose a problem, also, due to her affinity for the Del Mar turf where she posted a win in the 2003 San Clemente Handicap and finished second in the 2004 Grade II Palomar Breeders' Cup Handicap. A win for the mare could push her over the $1-million mark in career earnings.

John C. Mabee Handicap

Post position -- Horse, weight, jockey
1--Dancing Edie, 114, Corey Nakatani
2--Moscow Burning, 119, Norberto Arroyo, Jr.
3--Katdogawn, 115, Alex Solis
4--Live Life, 117, Mike Smith
5--Island Fashion, 116, Martin Pedroza
6--Amorama, 115, Garrett Gomez
7--Memorette, 116, Victor Espinoza.