I Ain’t Bluffing Might Be for Real

Looking to improve on what has already been a good meeting for trainer Ron Ellis, I Ain’t Bluffing is the 9-5 favorite against seven others in the $250,000 Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap today at Hollywood Park.

A winner with nine of his first 16 starters in Inglewood and seven of his last 10 through Thursday, Ellis will be trying to win the first Grade I race of the season for fillies and mares.

Owned by Jan, Mace and Samantha Siegel, I Ain’t Bluffing is the lone Grade I winner in the Milady, which serves as the final prep for the $350,000 Vanity Handicap on June 27.

The 4-year-old daughter of Pine Bluff won the seven-furlong La Brea Stakes last Dec. 27, at Santa Anita, the first of the three-race La Canada Series. She lost her chance for a La Canada sweep when she was disqualified in a controversial decision in the El Encino, then was third in the La Canada Stakes when, perhaps, she was uncomfortable on the wet surface.

Rested for nearly three months, I Ain’t Bluffing remained unbeaten with a win in the Hawthorne Handicap four weeks ago and the 1 1/2-length victory margin was deceptive. She won with something in reserve under jockey Chris McCarron, who also will ride today.

A winner of seven of 12 lifetime, I Ain’t Bluffing got a very soft trip pressing a slow pace in the Hawthorne and there will be more pace to deal with in the Milady, which is run at 1 1/16 miles. Ellis, however, is convinced the Louisiana-bred filly can relax off the pace.

“She can go to the lead and slow down and prick her ears, or she can lay off somebody,” Ellis said. “She has a real good style. I’ve always thought she would get better with age and she’s still only 4.”

Fleet Lady is the 2-1 second choice and she will be looking to get the best of I Ain’t Bluffing for the third consecutive time. She was moved up by the stewards into the victory in the El Encino, then won the La Canada.

After a pair of fourth-place finishes in the Santa Margarita and in the Miss America Handicap on the Golden Gate turf, the Avenue Of Flags filly won the seven-furlong B Thoughtful Stakes despite some trouble at the break.

Horse Racing Notes

The rest of the Milady field, from the inside out, is Belle’s Flag, Tuxedo Junction, Real Connection, Sonja’s Faith, Tomorrows Sunshine and Alzora. . . . Hollywood Park will offer wagering on the $620,000 Massachusetts Handicap today from Suffolk Downs with post time scheduled for 12:43 p.m., 17 minutes before the first local race. . . . Orville N Wilbur’s was declared out of the Belmont after he worked a too-fast six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 at Hollywood Park. “What I’ve got is a real good miler,” trainer Wally Dollase said. . . . There will be a dinner, live auction and prize drawings beginning at 6:30 June 5 at Hollywood Park with proceeds benefiting Para Los Ninos, a family service agency designed to help at-risk children. Tickets start at $150. Details: (213) 623-8446, Ext. 573.