Star Parade, trained by Darrell Vienna, will be after her second victory in the $175,000-added Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) in three years on Saturday at Hollywood Park.
The main track test is for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. Star Parade will face just four opponents.
A 7-year-old millionaire, Star Parade, seeks to become the oldest Milady winner in its 55-year history. Seven 6-year-olds have won the race.
After winning the Milady in 2004, Gary Tanaka's Star Parade finished third last year. She would join elite company with a second Milady trophy. Five other two-time winners include three champion – the Argentine-breds Bayakoa in 1989 and 1990 and Paseana in 1992 and 1993 as well as Kentucky-bred Azeri in 2002 and 2003. The others are A Gleam in 1952 and 1953 and Adored in 1984 and 1985.
"She continues to do well in the morning," said Vienna of Star Parade. She scored a wire-to-wire victory in the Hawthorne Handicap (gr. III) in her last start on May 7 at Hollywood. Star Parade has scored four graded stakes victories at the Inglewood track during each of the past four years: the 2003 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II), the 2004 Milady, the 2005 Bayakoa and the 2006 Hawthorne.
Speedster Somethinaboutlaura shipped in Wednesday night from the Jerry Hollendorfer barn at Bay Meadows, assuring an honest pace in a field of five.
"I would actually prefer someone else to set the pace," said Vienna. "I would rather have a target than be a target."
$175,000 Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II, Race 3, 2:20 p.m.), Fillies & Mares, 3 & Up, 1 1/16 MilesPP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Proposed (CA), 120, Patrick A. Valenzuela
2. Star Parade (ARG), 120, Martin A. Pedroza
3. Somethinaboutlaura (CA), 115, Victor Espinoza
4. Freakin Streakin (FL), 113, Michael C. Baze
5. Memorette (CA), 115, Alex O. Solis
