Composure Should Be Heavy Favorite in Starlet

Composure, second by one-half length to unbeaten Storm Flag Flying in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) on Oct. 26, returns to action for trainer Bob Baffert at Hollywood Park on Saturday as the solid favorite in the $376,500 Hollywood Starlet (gr. I).

A $470,000 purchase by Bob and Beverly Lewis in the September yearling sale last year at Keeneland, the bay daughter of Touch Gold could more than compensate for her purchase price with a victory in the 1 1/16-mile event for 2-year-old fillies.

Composure could earn better than $225,000 by capturing the added money event's 22nd running. She goes postward with earnings of $360,000 in just five starts, including a three-length victory previously in the Oak Leaf Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.

The Kentucky-bred Composure is the most promising filly owned by the Lewises since Serena's Song, who was retired in 1996 as the all-time leading female earner with a bankroll of $3,283,388. Serena's Song was launched on her way to stardom with a victory in the 1994 Starlet. Her winning time of 1:41 4/5 remains the stakes record.

While Serena's Song provided the Lewises with their only previous Starlet win, trainer Baffert has saddled two of the last four winners: Habibti last year and Excellent Meeting in 1998.

With regular rider Mike Smith aboard, Composure, who drew the outside post, will face six opponents on Saturday.

Summer Wind Dancer, a California-bred gray filly trained by Jenine Sahadi, has posted the best figures. The winner of the California Cup Juvenile Fillies in her last start on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita, Summer Wind Dancer has earned $164,385 from three wins in four starts.

$376,500 Hollywood Starlet (gr. I), 2-year-old fillies, 1 1/16 mile
PP. Horse, Jockey
1. Watching You, Kent Desormeaux
2. Tizalovelylady, Laffit Pincay Jr.
3. Elloluv, Patrick Valenzuela
4. Summer Wind Dancer, Alex Solis
5. Kinzie Woo, Jose Valdivia Jr.
6. Rmisvesta, Tyler Baze
7. Composure, Mike Smith

All carry 120 pounds.