Imports Look Strong in Sweet Life
Three European imports, Dijarvo, Indigo River and She Spirit di Su, are among the leading contenders Sunday in Santa Anita’s featured $70,000 Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 6 ½ furlongs over the track’s hillside turf course.
British-bred Dijarvo, who drew the outside post in a field of eight, will make her first start for trainer Paddy Gallagher after winning twice and placing twice in four starts while sprinting in Europe. Her latest effort, a three-quarter length win going five furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte in France, earned a high Racing Post Rating of 97. Brice Blanc will be aboard in her U.S. debut for Harlequin Ranches.
Indigo River, an Irish-bred who captured one-of-three starts in her native country, won her U.S. debut for trainer Jeff Mullins over Santa Anita’s downhill turf course on Jan. 13. Joel Rosario has the return riding engagement for owner Michael House.
She Spirit di Su, another Irish-bred who had raced twice in England, broke her maiden in her stateside debut for trainer Simon Callaghan. Rafael Bejarano again rides the filly who scored by 1 ½ lengths while covering one mile on turf in 1:35 on Jan. 13 for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Anthony Ramsden.
Painted Woman, the field’s high weight at 120 pounds after finishing third in the Grade II Santa Ynez Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs over Santa Anita’s main track, will make her turf debut in the Sweet Life. The Forest Wildcat filly, trained by Steve Asmussen for J. Kirk and Judy Robison, has won 2 of 5 starts while earning $101,301. Mike Smith, who rode in the Santa Ynez, will be back aboard.
The complete field for the Sweet Life Stakes, with jockeys and weights in post position order: Dypsy, Joseph Talamo, 119; Rowdy Gal, Victor Espinoza, 119; She Spirit di Su, Rafael Bejarano, 117; Vionnet, David Flores, 118; Indigo River, Joel Rosario, 119; Woebegon, Martin Garcia, 117; Painted Wagon, Mike Smith, 120, and Dijarvo, Brice Blanc, 119.
The Sweet Life will be run as the eighth race on a program of nine races.