Sharp Lisa, a strong second in the Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) last month, is the clear standout in Monday's $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.
The Doug O'Neill-trained filly kicks off her 3-year-old campaign in the seven-furlong event, which attracted a field of eight. None of those entered has the credentials Sharp Lisa, a chestnut daughter of
Dixieland Band, has accumulated.
After breaking her maiden in her career debut at Calder in September, Sharp Lisa was purchased privately by J. Paul Reddam and Suarez Racing Inc., and transferred to O'Neill's barn. In her next start last fall, she just missed by a neck while finishing with a rush behind Runway Model in the Alcibiades (gr. II) at Keeneland. That effort propelled her into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), where she was sixth behind Sweet Catomine after enduring a wide trip and tiring in the stretch.
She wrapped up her 2-year-old campaign with a runner-up showing – two lengths behind the highly regarded Splendid Blended – in the Hollywood Starlet. She bobbled at the start of that race.
Sharp Lisa shortens to one turn Monday with Tyler Baze aboard, substituting for the suspended Corey Nakatani.
Trainer Bob Baffert entered two in the Santa Ynez: New Jersey-bred Mother, who drove to an emphatic eight-length maiden win in her second start Jan. 2 at Santa Anita; and No Bull Baby, who also shortens up after tiring as the pacesetter in the Starlet. No Bull Baby won a stakes at Santa Anita Nov. 21 and carries 121 pounds, seven more than each of her rivals.
Among the other entrants is Revealed, although trainer John Shirreffs said he will run her in Sunday's Santa Ysabel (gr. III) instead.
Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II, Race 8, 4 p.m. PST), 3-year-old fillies, 7 furlongsPP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Mother (NJ), 114, Mike Smith
2. Revealed (KY), 114, Jon Court
3. Ninadivina (KY), 114, Garrett Gomez
4. Northern Mischief (KY), 114, Gary Stevens
5. No Bull Baby (KY), 121, Rene Douglas
6. Hot Attraction (KY), 114, Victor Espinoza
7. Sharp Lisa (KY), 114, Tyler Baze
8. Bulita (PA), 114, Patrick Valenzuela
