Ismene Starts Outside in California Distaff

Ismene, twice scratched in recent days when drawing inside post positions, drew the outside for Saturday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf and is ready to roll.

“We’ll see what happens,” said Bill Spawr, who trains the 4-year-old daughter of Tribal Rule for owner/breeder Stephen Ferraro.

Ismene led into the stretch before finishing second in her lone previous race on Santa Anita’s unique downhill venue, in the Irish O’Brien Stakes last March 17. Two of the California-breds three wins have come in stakes, the Anoakia and the California Breeders’ Championship for fillies.

The field for the California Distaff Handicap: Bella Viaggia, Gary Stevens, 2-1; Dancingtothestars, Mario Gutierrez, 4-1; Mia Lady, Victor Espinoza, 12-1; Qianona, Corey Nakatani, 6-1; Tasty Treat, Rafael Bejarano, 5-2; Pahiatua, Joe Talamo, 20-1; and Ismene, Mike Smith, 3-1. Toomanytomatoes was scratched.