Puxa Saco Likely Favorite in Hollywood Moccasin

Florida import Puxa Saco, victorious in Oak Tree's Anoakia Stakes despite getting banged around at the start, will seek her fourth win in five starts Saturday as the probable favorite in Hollywood Park's $100,000 Moccasin Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs.

Trained by Jenine Sahadi for Richard Rowan, the chestnut daughter of Dehere will have Mike Smith back aboard. A troubled third-place finish in the Sept. 21 Raj Stakes at Calder Race Course deprives her of a perfect record.

Atlantic Ocean, trained by Bob Baffert for The Thoroughbred Corp., returns to the West Coast following a ninth-place finish in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Arlington Park on Oct. 26.

The Florida-bred bay filly has won two of six starts, including the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies at Turfway Park on Sept. 14, for earnings of $102,780.

Magic Smoke, with Chance Rollins riding, is the 122-pound high weight in the field of five.

Gary Mandella, deputizing for father Richard, reported that Espy was forced to miss the Moccasin because of an ankle injury. Veterinarian Rick Arthur said the 2-year-old filly was scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday afternoon for removal of a flake and should recover in time for the Santa Anita winter meet.

Another Moccasin candidate, Time To Leave Stakes winner Viansa Ossidiana from Northern California, was also forced to miss the race because of an injury, the racing office was informed.

$100,000 Moccasin Stakes, 7 furlongs, 2-year-old fillies
PP, Jockey, Wgt.
1. Tale Of A Dream, Jose Valdivia Jr., 117
2. Puxa Saco, Mike Smith, 11
3. Watching You, Kent Desormeaux, 113
4. Magic Smoke, Chance Rollins, 122
5. Atlantic Ocean, Victor Espinoza, 119.