Leading Trainer O'Neill Eyes Royal Heroine Upset
Doug O’Neill is two in front with four laps to go in quest of his fourth Santa Anita training title. The 47-year-old Michigan native holds a 20-18 lead over runner-up Peter Miller, who is emptying the barn in a bid to overtake O’Neill while training out of San Luis Rey Downs.
O’Neill has two outsiders entered in Saturday’s Grade II Royal Heroine Stakes for older fillies and mares at one mile on turf, Birdlover and One More.
Birdlover, an English-bred daughter of Byron, won the Mizdirection at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf last out, but has won at a mile on grass and was third, beaten just a head, in the Grade III Wilshire at a mile on turf April 26.
One More, a 4-year-old daughter of 1994 Horse of the Year Holy Bull, was third in the Grade III Providencia Stakes last April but has yet to win a stakes.
“I think they’re both going to be forwardly placed, and both of them on their best day can be competitive in that group,” O’Neill said.
“We know it’s deep water, but both horses are doing well.”
The field for the Royal Heroine: Blingismything, Tyler Baze, 4-1; Generosidade, Tiago Pereira, 20-1; Stormy Lucy, Flavien Prat, 6-1; Birdlover, Mike Smith, 4-1; Mangita, Aaron Gryder, 30-1; Famous Alice, Gary Stevens, 12-1; Fanticola, Joe Talamo, 7-2; Queen of the Sand, Rafael Bejarano, 4-1; Alexis Tangier, Victor Espinoza, 6-1; and One More, Mario Gutierrez, 20-1.
PEDROZA, MIO ME UNITE AGAIN FOR SENORITA
Martin Pedroza and Mio Me outran their odds in an overnight race on June 5, finishing third, beaten just over a length, at nearly 20-1.
Trainer Mark Casse and his team hope the progress continues in Saturday’s Grade III Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf.
“Mio Me is coming up to the race beautifully,” said Randi Melton, who oversees Casse’s Southern California division. “I’m very pleased with her. Martin rode her great last time. He seems to suit her.” A Kentucky-bred daughter of Eskendereya owned by W.S. Farish Jr., who campaigns as Woodford Racing LLC, Mio Me was third in the Ultra Fleet Stakes on turf May 1.
The field for the Senorita: Rattataptap, Tyler Baze, 6-1; Long Hot Summer, Joe Talamo, 4-1; Lutine Belle, Rafael Bejarano, 15-1; Curlin’s Fox, Mike Smith, 5-2; Mio Me, Martin Pedroza, 15-1; Screaming Skylar, Victor Espinoza, 8-1; Miss Double D’oro, Martin Garcia, 12-1; Avenge, Flavien Prat, 4-1: and Prize Exhibit, Santiago Gonzalez, 5-1.
Source: Santa Anita Park