(from Oak Tree release)
Irish-bred Bahama Mama, a steady speedster still seeking recompense for a flawed graded stakes debut in the United States, and the ultra consistent Victorina, who has never before raced on grass, will be the co-high weights at 118 pounds in Oak Tree’s $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Santa Anita Oct. 4.
The hillside turf course events for fillies and mares at about 6 1/2 furlongs drew a field of 12 in what should be a good betting race.
A 4-year-old filly who raced in Germany and France before being purchased by trainer James Cassidy for Forging Oaks Farm, Bahama Mama finished first in Santa Anita’s La Cienegas Handicap (gr. IIIT) over the downhill course when making her first U.S. start last April. However, she was disqualified for drifting out while in front during the stretch run. Bahama Mama was placed fourth by the stewards.
She has two wins, a second, and a third in four subsequent starts, three of them minor stakes events, and returns to graded competition in the Maddy. David Flores, who has been aboard in all her stateside races, retains the mount on the bay filly who has earned $293,291 from a 7-3-5 record in 22 career races.
Victorina, a 5-year-old mare based in Northern California with trainer Greg Gilchrist for the estate of Harry Aleo, has raced all over the U.S. -- Chicago, New York, Phoenix and Seattle -- but never on the grass.
While competing on dirt or synthetics, the Florida-bred daughter of Delaware Township has won 11 of 20 starts while finishing second in five more for earnings of $529,733. Russell Baze, her most constant companion, will fly in from the Bay Area to handle Victorina.
Silky Smooth, who defeated Bahama Mama by 2 1/2 lengths in Hollywood Park’s Great Lady M Handicap last June, may inherit the favorite’s role. She most recently finished 1 3/4 lengths behind well-regarded Dearest Trickski when fourth in Del Mar’s Rancho Bernardo Handicap (gr. III) on Polytrack.
Although the 4-year-old Mister Greeley filly has never raced over Santa Anita’s tricky downhill grass layout, she shows a 3-3-0 record in six starts on turf. Michael Baze will ride the chestnut filly trained by Jeff Mullins for E. K. Gaylord II. Silky Smooth’s overall record is 4-4-1 in 15 races for earnings of $302,094.
Queen Ofthe Catsle, owned and bred in Kentucky by C.T. Gether, is coming off a pair of victories including Del Mar’s five-furlong Daisycutter Handicap in her last start. The 4-year-old filly, trained by Howard Zucker, has posted a 4-5-0 record in 11 starts while earning $191,824. Mike Smith rides for the first time.
Lightmyfirebaby was the beneficiary of Bahama Mama’s misdoings in last spring’s Las Cienegas, but the Unusual Heat mare is winless in five races since then and finished up the track to Bahama Mama in two subsequent meetings.
$100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Handicap (gr. IIIT, Race 9, 4:30 p.m.), Fillies & Mares 3 & Up, About 6 1/2 Furlongs (Turf)
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Woodland City (SAF), 114, Martin A. Pedroza
2. La Tee (WA), 114, Jon K. Court
3. Unspoken Word (KY), 115, Clinton L. Potts
4. Queen Ofthe Catsle (KY), 116, Mike E. Smith
5. That's Hot (IRE), 114, Alex O. Solis
6. Bahama Mama (IRE), 118, David R. Flores
7. Mini Do (KY), 111, Joseph Talamo
8. Silky Smooth (KY), 116, Michael C. Baze
9. Eletro Nuclear (BRZ), 115, Joel Rosario
10. a-Steelin' (KY), 114, Martin Garcia
11. a-Lightmyfirebaby (CA), 116, Brice Blanc
12. Victorina (FL), 118, Russell A. Baze
a- Richard J. O'Neill Trust-owned entry