Buffythecenterfold surprised trainer Mel Stute by going to the front under jockey Matt Garcia en route to a one-length victory in the Landaluce Stakes that was the co-feature on the July 4 holiday card at Hollywood Park."I really thought she'd come from off of it today," Stute said. "I had read a lot of things about all the speed in the race and I told Matt to use his own judgment. He used it right."Buffythecenterfold, acquired privately for owner Allen Brian by Stute and agent Charlie Lambert in March, has won her first two career starts. The winner's check of $66,360 boosted her earnings to $92,160."I'm very happy," Stute said. "I've been in a little bit of a slump for a few years, and I hope this filly turns it around. I do believe she will go on, and at this stage of the game she is better than Brave Raj (his 1986 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Eclipse Award winner). I plan to freshen her up a little and run her at Del Mar and then hopefully the Breeders' Cup."The daughter of Capote paid $15.80, $6.40 and $4. Tricks Her, ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, returned $6.80 and $4.60. Little Bit a Swiss, a neck back in third under Victor Espinoza, paid $3.20.Magic Smoke, the 19-10 favorite, never threatened while finishing eighth under Laffit Pincay Jr. in the field of nine 2-year-old fillies."She pulled up okay," Pincay said. "In fact, she was running fine right behind the leaders. Around the turn, I was looking for a place to go, and she just came up empty."
(Chart, Equibase)