Bobby Frankel, who has won nearly every major stakes race during a Hall of Fame career of nearly 40 years, seeks to add the Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I) to his impressive resume, sending out Personal Legend and Sweet Lips in Saturday's $300,000 race.Eleven horses including an entry have been entered in the 1 1/8-mile event, Santa Anita's most important race for older fillies and mares on dirt. Champions such as Azeri, Paseana, Bayakoa and Lady's Secret have won it.Personal Legend, a 5-year-old daughter of Awesome Again , is coming off a fast-closing fourth in the 1 1/16-mile Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I) on a wet/fast track.
Sweet Lips, a 4-year-old daughter of the late Kris S., rallied for second in the La Canada Stakes (gr. II) at 1 1/8 miles in her last start.
Frankel, who was second with Sightseek in the 2003 Santa Margarita, faces a contentious field headed by the 118-pound high weight Miss Loren, winner of the Feb. 13 Santa Maria. The 7-year-old Argentine-bred mare has a 13-10-7 record from 45 starts with earnings of $616,260. She will be making her first start for her new trainer, Richard Mandella.Frankel ranks second all-time behind the late Charlie Whittingham at Santa Anita in victories with 812 and stakes wins with 111.
La Canada victor Tarlow, grade I winner A.P. Adventure, grade II winner Dream of Summer and Uraib, who captured the Feb. 21 Buena Vista Handicap (gr. III) on a sloppy track, add serious competition to the mix.$300,000 Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I), fillies & mares 4 & up, 1 1/8 miles
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight
1. a-House of Fortune, Alex Solis, 113
2. Scrofa, Felipe Martinez, 112
3. Festival, Danny Sorenson, 113
4. a-Good Student, Tyler Baze, 114
5. Personal Legend, Garrett Gomez, 115
6. A.P. Adventure, Victor Espinoza, 116
7. Uraib, Kent Desormeaux, 115
8. Miss Loren, Jose Valdivia Jr., 118
9. Sweet Lips, Rene Douglas, 116
10. Dream of Summer, Corey Nakatani, 116
11. Tarlow, Patrick Valenzuela, 117
(a) Arnold Zetcher-owned entry