Providencia Perfect Spot for Practising
Practising has been favored in three of her four career starts, but is not likely to be the choice in Saturday’s Grade III, $150,000 Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
The English-bred daughter of Rail Link was fourth, beaten just three lengths, going a mile and an eighth on grass March 13, two months after breaking her maiden in her first U.S. start, Jan. 18 at Santa Anita at one mile on turf.
“She came out of the race in good shape,” trainer Paddy Gallagher said of the March 13 effort. “The Providencia is a tougher race, but she acts like she’ll move forward from her last start. But like I say, this is a tougher race, so she’ll need to come on.”
Practising retains the services of leading jockey Rafael Bejarano, who is named to ride in all 11 races on Saturday.
The field for the Providencia: Soresca, Chantal Sutherland Kruse, 30-1; Practising, Rafael Bejarano, 8-1; Tiz Kissable, Tyler Baze, 8-1; Nashoba’s Gold, Joe Talamo, 5-2; Full Ransom, Kent Desormeaux, 15-1; Savings Account, Mike Smith, 15-1; Margot Machance, Julien Couton, 9-2; Diversy Harbor, Gary Stevens, 9-5; Kukaluka, Victor Espinoza, 20-1; and One More, Mario Gutierrez, 6-1.