Mizdirection, undefeated in four prior starts over the hillside turf course at Santa Anita Park, towers over five other older fillies and mares in the $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes (gr. IIIT) April 13.
Winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) over males last fall on the unique layout at about 6 1/2 furlongs, Mizdirection goes for her fourth consecutive win since that important score.
She will cut back in distance for the Las Cienegas following a front-running 2 1/4-length tally in the one-mile Buena Vista Stakes (gr. IIT) in her most recent start Feb. 18. The 5-year-old Mizzen Mast mare, racing for sports radio personality Jim Rome's Jungle Racing and partners, surpassed $1 million in career earnings with the win.
A gem of consistency for trainer Mike Puype, Mizdirection has been worse than second just twice in a 14-race career that includes nine wins. She'll be a very short price Saturday when guided by David Flores from the far outside post with the high impost of 123 pounds. Flores replaces Mike Smith, who will be in Arkansas competing at Oaklawn Park.
The Las Cienegas is the eighth race on the program with a scheduled post time of 4:07 p.m. PDT.
Puype also sends out Schiaparelli, a lightly raced 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper out of the multiple graded stakes winning Cambiocorsa, who won the 2006 Las Cienegas and who was an amazing 8-for-9 over the hillside course. Schiaparelli, owned by Ran Jan Racing, is coming off a 3 1/2-length allowance optional claiming win down the hill March 14. Joe Talamo has ridden Schiaparelli in all six of her races to date, winning three. They have post 3 Saturday.
Purim's Dancer has back-to-back wins over the course for trainer Thomas Proctor, including a 3 1/4-length victory in her last start in the restricted Wishing Well Stakes Feb. 10. Tyler Baze takes the mount from Gary Stevens, who is also competing at Oaklawn Saturday.
Bench Glory, winner of the Irish O'Brien Stakes over state-breds on St. Patrick's Day, tries tougher for trainer Sean McCarthy and owner/breeder Harris Farms.
Dancingtothestars, third in the Irish O'Brien following a runner-up effort in the Wishing Well, and French-bred Givine, ninth in the Wishing Well last time, complete the field.
$100,000 Las Cienegas Handicap (gr. IIIT, Race 8, 4:07 p.m.), Fillies & Mares 4 & Up, About 6 1/2 Furlongs (Turf)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Purim's Dancer (KY), T Baze, 118, T F Proctor
2. Schiaparelli (KY), J Talamo, 118, M Puype
3. Dancingtothestars (CA), K Krigger, 118, D F O'Neill
4. Givine (FR), M A Pedroza, 118, J C Canani
5. Bench Glory (CA), B Blanc, 118, S McCarthy
6. Mizdirection (KY), D R Flores, 123, M Puype
Mizdirection is undefeated in four starts over the hillside turf course at Santa Anita Park.
Benoit Photography