Pretty Unusual, fresh off a stunning 29-1 upset in the El Encino Stakes (gr. II) two weeks ago, will try her luck on grass in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino at Santa Anita Jan. 30.
Chantal Sutherland, who rode the 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Unusual Heat to victory in the El Encino, has the return engagement in the 1 1/8-mile event, which drew a competitive field of eight. The Filly & Mare Turf is one of three Sunshine Millions races on the Santa Anita card and is sandwiched between the $200,000 Filly & Mare Sprint and $500,000 Classic as the seventh race. Probable post is 3:07 p.m. PST.
Pretty Unusual, who upset 2008 champion 2-year-old filly Stardom Bound in the El Encino over the Pro-Ride surface, is winless in two starts on turf for trainer Barry Abrams, but has the breeding to adapt.
The bay filly has three wins and two seconds in 10 races with lifetime earnings of $249,632. The filly is owned by co-breeder Madeline Auerbach, and partners Marie Goda and Jack Klugman. Pretty Unusual will start from post 3.
In a field devoid of a clear favorite, Bootleg Annie leads the group in earnings with $458,726. The 6-year-old California-bred mare is trained by Kathy Walsh for Al and Sandee Kirkwood. The daughter of Go for Gin will be ridden by Garrett Gomez.
Claimed for $5,000 as a maiden at Turf Paradise, Bootleg Annie has been claimed four times since while compiling a 15-4-6 record in 32 starts. The bay has blossomed for Walsh, winning five of nine races including a pair of stakes victories. Bootleg Annie has won 14 of 23 starts on turf.
Trainer Tom Proctor is sending out a pair of Florida-bred runners in Closeout and Tight Precision.
Closeout, a 5-year-old Repriced mare, brings a record of 5-5-0 in 15 starts with earnings of $368,846 for owner/breeder Glen Hill Farm. The multiple grade II winner ran second in the one-mile Las Palmas Handicap (gr. IIT) Nov. 6 over the Santa Anita course when shipped west earlier.
Tight Precision, a 5-year-old daughter of Pure Precision, has won her last two starts while posting an overall record of 4-3-2 in 13 outings for earnings of $172,970.
You Lift Me Up, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, is a 5-year-old mare who has finished in the money in 17 of her 28 career starts. She has won six times and earned $343,815. Rafael Bejarano will ride the California-bred daughter of Lord Carson.
$300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf, 4 & Up, Bred in California or Florida, 1 1/8 Miles
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Closeout (FL), J Lezcano, 122, T F Proctor
2. Tight Precision (FL), J Rosario, 122, T F Proctor
3. Pretty Unusual (CA), C Sutherland, 120, B Abrams
4. You Lift Me Up (CA), R Bejarano, 122, J Hollendorfer
5. Bootleg Annie (CA), G K Gomez, 122, K Walsh
6. Saucey Evening (CA), J Valdivia Jr., 120, H G Motion
7. Catsalot (CA), A Quinonez, 120, L Powell
8. Century Park (FL), T Baze, 120, B Baffert
