Looking to add a third grade I victory to cap her stellar first-year campaign, Weemissfrankie drew the rail for the $402,000 Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) against five rivals Dec. 10 at Hollywood Park.
The popular filly is coming off a distant third-place effort in the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) Nov. 4. She finished nine lengths behind the victorious My Miss Aurelia, tiring in the stretch after a wide trip on a good main track at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Peter Eurton, Weemissfrankie was undefeated in three Southern California starts prior to the Breeders' Cup. The New York-bred daughter of Sunriver out of the Meadowlake mare Starinthemeadow debuted with a victory over maidens going five furlongs on Polytrack at Del Mar July 20. She followed that with a 1 1/4-length victory in the seven-furlong Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) Sept. 3.
In her first try on dirt Oct. 2, Weemissfrankie successfully negotiated two turns from slightly off the pace to register a half-length triumph in the 1 1/16-mile Oak Leaf Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita.
She has posted two public workouts since her Breeders' Cup defeat, most recently turning in a handy five-furlong drill in 1:00 3/5 at Hollywood Dec. 3.
Weemissfrankie seeks to become only the second filly to sweep the Debutante, Oak Leaf, and Starlet. Excellent Meeting, in 1998, is the only horse to have accomplished that feat.
The Hollywood Starlet, the ninth on a 10-race card at Hollywood Park, is set for a 4:37 p.m. PST start.
Weemissfrankie was named for the late Hollywood actor Frank Alesia, who was part of the chestnut filly's ownership group along with his wife Sharon. The other co-owners are Mike and Dawn Mellen's Bran Jam Stable and Joe Ciaglia's Ciaglia Stable.
Rafael Bejarano has been aboard Weemissfrankie in all of her starts. Racing on the outside in all of her previous races, this will be the first time she will have to deal with the rail.
Charm the Maker, third in the Oak Leaf in her second start before winning the Sharp Cat Stakes on Hollywood's Cushion Track Nov. 13, is the likely second choice in the small field of 2-year-old fillies. Garrett Gomez, who has been aboard the Empire Maker filly in all three of her races, has the mount once more. They start just to the outside of Weemissfrankie in post 2.
Trained by Hall of Fame member Ron McAnally for his wife Deborah, Charm the Maker is attempting to become the first winner of the 1 1/16-mile Sharp Cat to also win the Starlet. In the Sharp Cat, Charm the Maker raced close to the pace on the outside and came home with a flourish to triumph by 1 1/4 lengths as the 2-5 favorite.
Charm the Maker is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Charm the Giant, who won Hollywood's Wilshire Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the grass in 2007.
Self Preservation, trained by Ben Cecil for owner J. Paul Reddam, has finished behind Weemissfrankie in her past three starts -- running second in the Debutante, fifth in the Oak Leaf, and fourth in the BC Juvenile Fillies (at 58-1). The Lion Heart lass began her career with two starts in Ireland for trainer David Wachman before transferring to the United States prior to the Debutante.
She is in search of her first U.S. victory and will have Joel Rosario, who rode her for the first time in the Breeders' Cup, back aboard. Self Preservation could set the pace.
Killer Graces, from the Jerry Hollendorfer barn, ran second in the Sharp Cat after leading in the stretch. That was her first start at Hollywood since consecutive victories in the Cinderella and Landaluce stakes during the spring/summer meet. The daughter of Congaree has two wins and three seconds from seven starts in her juvenile campaign. Joe Talamo rides.
Trainer Bob Baffert looks for his third Starlet victory with Kaleem Shah's Lady Pecan. Fourth-place finisher in the Sharp Cat, the Concerto filly has won once in five starts overall and has been blanked in three tries for her current connections.
Baffert previously won the Starlet with Excellent Meeting and Habibti in 2001.
Completing the field is the maiden Mi Vida, winless in four starts for Southern Equine Stable and trainer Eric Guillot.
$402,000 Hollywood Starlet (gr. I, Race 9, 4:37 p.m.), 2YO Fillies, 1 1/16 Miles (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Trainer
1. Weemissfrankie (NY), R Bejarano, P Eurton
2. Charm the Maker (KY), G K Gomez, R L McAnally
3. Lady Pecan (FL), M Garcia, B Baffert
4. Killer Graces (KY), J Talamo, J Hollendorfer
5. Mi Vida (KY), D R Flores, E J Guillot
6. Self Preservation (KY), J Rosario, B D Cecil
All carry 120 pounds.
