Final Destination, a graded stakes winner on two continents, seeks her sixth straight victory Sunday in the Wilshire Handicap (gr. IIIT), a $100,000-added test for fillies and mares at one mile on turf."She's ready to go," said Humberto Ascanio, assistant to trainer Bobby Frankel, Wednesday. The 5-year-old New Zealand-bred mare won Buena Vista Handicap (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita in her last start Feb. 17. She also won an optional allowance claiming race and her last three outings in New Zealand, including the 2001 Bayer Classic against males and the New Zealand 1000 Guineas, both Group I races. Victor Espinoza has the call for Frankel, who has won the Wilshire a record four times.Final Destination is expected to have her hands full with a probable duo from the Laura de Seroux stable and Damaschino, an Australian import in the Neil Drysdale barn.De Seroux was to work a classy trio of Dublino, Turtle Bow and Little Treasure on the turf after the second race Wednesday before deciding which to enter in the Wilshire. Dublino and Turtle Bow have not started since the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) at Arlington Park Oct. 26.Damaschino, a 5-year-old daughter of Last Tycoon, joined the Drysdale stable after winning the Group III Carlton Draught Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield against males Nov. 23. Owned by Bates Newton's The Vinery in Kentucky, Damaschino will be ridden by Corey Nakatani.
The Wilshire could attract Turtle Bow (121 pounds), Dublino (120), Final Destination (118), Little Treasure (118), Lindsay Jean (116), Damaschino (115), Southern Oasis (115), Secret Garden (114), I'm The Business (113), Melody Blue (113) and Polygreen (113).
