Cassidy Excited About Honeymoon

Trainer Jim Cassidy, who won the Honeymoon Handicap last year with Evening Jewel, seeks another victory in the race Saturday with Whisper Louise. The $150,000 Grade II stake is for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“I was very happy with her first start,” said Cassidy in reference to a closing second behind Cambina in the Providencia Stakes on the Santa Anita turf April 9.

Cassidy hopes the Irish-bred English-raced filly, owned by Three Chimneys Racing, joins the long list of European imports that have blossomed under his care.

 Victor Espinoza, who rode Evening Jewel last year and has won the Honeymoon three times in the past seven years, has the return call.

Cambina, who won the Providencia and two other stakes at Santa Anita before finishing third in the Senorita Stakes here May 7, worked five furlongs on turf in 1:00.20 for the Jeff Bonde Stable. Joe Talamo has the Honeymoon call.

Other probable starters include Senorita winner Star Billing (Chantal Sutherland), Senorita runner-up Entrustment, unbeaten Sarah’s Secret (Rafael Bejarano) and Bonita Star (Patrick Valenzuela).