Hidden Light Is Expected to Shine

According to trainer Ron McAnally, Sunday’s $125,000 Del Mar Oaks “looks like a walkover.”

McAnally wasn’t talking about his 3-year-old filly, Shotgun Wedding, but was referring to Hidden Light, the filly trained by Charlie Whittingham, who will be the odds-on favorite against six opponents in the 1 1/8-mile grass race.

Hidden Light, after losing her first race in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in May and then finishing behind the unbeaten Melair in the Princess Stakes at Hollywood Park in June, is back on her game. She won the Hollywood Oaks by five lengths in July and was barely warmed up by only three rivals.

Hello Texas, with Ray Sibille up and carrying 114 pounds, has the rail Sunday. Outside her, in order, are Rekindling, Russell Baz, 114; Kraemer, Corey Black 114; Rare Starlet, Pat Valenzuela, 114; Hidden Light, Bill Shoemaker, 124; Shotgun Wedding, Chris McCarron, 119, and Our Sweet Sham, Santiago Soto, 119.

A small field--five horses--will also run in today’s $75,000 Chula Vista Handicap. Heading the list is Dontstop Themusic, who won the race last year and will carry top weight of 123 pounds.

Quick Twist, with jockey Laffit Pincay aboard, won the $23,000 feature race Friday before 15,421 fans. The winner finished a half-length ahead of Scrapbook, ridden by Chris MccCarron, and paid $8, $4 and $2.60 after running the mile in 1:35 4/5.