Killer Graces Training Well for Santa Ysabel
Killer Graces, a maiden when she was purchased privately by Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer for a partnership, became a Grade I winner when she captured the Hollywood Starlet on Dec. 10. Next up: Saturday’s Grade III Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles.
The chestnut daughter of Congaree has two bullet works at Santa Anita going into the race.
“She’s training very good,” said Hollendorfer assistant Dan Ward. “She was a maiden when we bought her right after her first race (second by a nose at Hollywood Park last May 11) and she’s really been a pleasant surprise.”
Joe Talamo concurs. “It seems like every race she gets better and better,” said the 22-year-old jockey, who has ridden Killer Graces in six of her eight races, winning three, including the Hollywood Starlet. “She’s been working up a storm.”
The field for the Santa Ysabel, which goes as race three on a 10-race program: Coup de Coeur, Joel Rosario; Eden’s Moon, Martin Garcia; Batalha, Chantal Sutherland; Willa B Awesome, Martin Pedroza; Lady of Shamrock, Mike Smith; Killer Graces, Talamo; and Charm the Maker, Rafael Bejarano.
Charm the Maker blew out three furlongs on Santa Anita’s fast main track Thursday in 36.60, breezing, for Ron McAnally.