Charm The Maker Tries Santa Anita Turf

Charm the Maker makes her grass debut in Saturday’s Grade III, $150,000 Providencia Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“Her mother (Charm the Giant) ran well on grass,” pointed out Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally, who, with his wife, Debbie, bred the 3-year-old daughter of Empire Maker. They also own the filly, who won the Sharp Cat Stakes on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track last Nov. 13.

“Joel Rosario rides her. He likes her. He worked her two or three times,” McAnally said. Rosario rode Charm the Maker for the first time in the Grade I Las Virgenes Stakes at one mile on March 3, finishing eighth to victorious Eden’s Moon, a candidate for the Kentucky Oaks on May 4.

Tim Conway Jr. of top-rated KFI Radio (640) in Los Angeles will present the trophy to the winning connections of the Providencia Stakes.

The field for the Providencia: Lady of Shamrock, Mike Smith, 6-5; Island Paradise, David Flores, 12-1; Killer Graces, Rafael Bejarano, 8-1; Byrama, Garrett Gomez, 3-1; Charm the Maker, Joel Rosario, 9-2; Ms Pianist, Martin Pedroza, 30-1; and Indigo River, Joe Talamo, 3-1.