The multiple grade I winner Balance, well beaten by undefeated California bred Nashoba's Key when they met a month ago, will get another chance against her rival in Saturday's $300,000 Vanity Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park.
The 1 1/8-mile Vanity, to be contested on Cushion Track for the first time, attracted just four starters. Balance, with Victor Espinoza aboard, was assigned high weight of 122 pounds. She is the 2-1 third choice on the morning line.
The Vanity is one of three grade I stakes on the Hollywood program Saturday, including the $300,000 Triple Bend Invitational Handicap and the $750,000 American Oaks Invitational.
Owned by John Amerman, Balance was defeated by more than five lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II). That followed back-to-back victories for the David Hofmans trained daughter of Thunder Gulch in Santa Anita's La Canada (gr. II) Feb. 11 and Santa Margarita (gr. I) on March 10.
Warren Williamson's Nashoba's Key, conditioned by Carla Gaines, debuted this year as a 4-year-old. After beginning her career with turf wins at Santa Anita Jan. 13 and in a 1 1/8-mile allowance three weeks later, she also captured the Fran's Valentine for state breds before winning the Milady in her Cushion Track debut.
Hystericalady, runner-up in the Milady, won the Humana Distaff (gr. I) at Churchill Downs prior to that for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
Also entered is Ballado's Thunder, third-place finisher in the Hawthorne Handicap (gr. II) on May 6 prior to running fourth in the Milady.
$300,000 Vanity Invitational Handicap (gr. I, Race 3, 1 p.m.), Fillies & Mares 3 & Up, 1 1/8 Miles (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, ML Odds
1. Nashoba's Key (CA), Joseph Talamo, 118, 7/5
2. Balance (KY), Victor Espinoza, 122, 2/1
3. Ballado's Thunder (KY), Corey S. Nakatani, 115, 8/1
4. Hystericalady (KY), David R. Flores, 120, 8/5
Santa Margarita winner Balance will face three in the Vanity on Saturday.
