May Day Rose Looks Solid in Santa Ysabel

May Day Rose was unable to stay with Turbulent Descent in the Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) in December, but the speedy daughter of Rockport Harbor   figures to bounce back against four rivals in the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 9 at Santa Anita Park.

Trainer Bob Baffert's charge figures to be a tough filly to catch in the 1 1/16-mile Santa Ysabel and looms as a solid favorite. The race goes as the third on the program with a 1:31 p.m. PST post.

Owned by Kaleem S. Shah, May Day Rose, a $220,000 purchase, was a 4 1/4-length winner of Hollywood Park's 1 1/16-mile Sharp Cat Stakes in her third start Nov. 7. The bay filly returned at the same distance in the Starlet.

After battling near the lead, May Day Rose took the advantage into the stretch but was no match for the undefeated Turbulent Descent in the stretch. May Day Rose faded to fourth in the final furlong, beaten by 3 1/4 lengths.