Beaten by more than 48 lengths in her last start, Adoration will attempt to make amends in Saturday's $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Handicap (gr. IIIT) at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the Santa Anita turf.
The 3-year-old daughter of Honor Grades put in an uncharacteristicly poor performance in the Delaware Oaks (gr. III) July 20, to put it mildly.
She experienced serious trouble at Delaware Park that day, difficulties trainer David Hofmans does not anticipate again when Adoration goes against 11 rivals Saturday.
"She bobbled badly at the start, got in some trouble around the first turn, and couldn't handle the track at all," Hofmans said of the Delaware debacle. "The track was very deep and cuppy and she didn't like it. We freshened her up and we're going to go back short and hope we get her back on track."
To be ridden by Garrett Gomez, Adoration drew post position 10 and carries 116 pounds. Rolly Polly, one stall closer to the rail than Adoration, is the 119-pound high weight and will be ridden by Patrick Valnezuela.
Adoration won the one-mile Senorita Stakes on Hollywood Park's grass course on May 4, and was second in her lone try over Santa Anita's downhill turf course, last April 12.
She worked five furlongs over Santa Anita's firm turf course (dogs up) Sunday in 1:00.40 in preparing for her first start in nearly three months.
Adoration was a late scratch from the Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup Handicap on Oct. 2.
Purchased for $40,000 at the Keeneland sales by owners John and Jerry Amerman, Adoration has a 3-1-0 record from seven starts, with earnings of $265,080.
$100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Handicap (gr. IIIT), about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf, fillies and maresPP Horse, Rider, Wgt.
1. Palace Royale, Octavio Vergara, 113
2. Brocky's Dream, Jose Valdivia Jr., 114
3. I'm The Business, Corey Nakatani, 117
4. Always The Lady, Matt Garcia, 113
5. Wild Tickle, Gary Stevens, 115
6. Gabriellina Giof, Laffit Pincay Jr., 116
7. Top of Our Game, Mike Smith, 115
8. Southern House, Tyler Baze, 113
9. Rolly Polly, Pat Valenzuela, 119
10. Adoration, Garrett Gomez, 116
11. Nanogram, Victor Espinoza, 113
12. Magarita Midnight, Daniel Vergara, 111.
