Candrea looms large at Fairplex Park

Does the path to the Breeders’ Cup run through Fairplex Park?

It might for Candrea, the 2-year-old filly expected to be heavily favored Friday in the $50,000 Phil D. Shepherd Stakes at the Los Angeles County Fair.

Bob Baffert trains Candrea, whose auspicious debut was a July 7 maiden race at Hollywood Park that she won by more than three lengths while geared down, earning a 75 Beyer Speed Figure.

The race established Candrea as the favorite for the Grade 3 Sorrento Aug. 5 at Del Mar, but she got sick and did not enter. The setback essentially ruined her summer campaign. Del Mar did not card an allowance race for 2-year-old fillies the entire meet; the only option for Baffert was to train Candrea for a possible start Sept. 3 in the Grade 1 Debutante.