Rare Stake Not Appetizing

The good news is that there is a stakes race on today’s card, a rarity for a Thursday afternoon in Southern California.

The bad news is that the contest is the $100,000 California Sires Stakes, a seven-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies bred in California.

To be honest, none of the seven who are scheduled to run are worth the money they will be chasing. The 9-5 favorite is Icantgoforthat, a daughter of In Excess who has won one of two for owner Mike Pegram and trainer Bob Baffert.

Third as the 7-5 favorite in the fabled Bustles and Bows a couple of weeks ago in Pomona, Icantgoforthat did have excuses that day and looks like the controlling speed.

Three of the entrants are fresh off victories. Mama Mama, who finished fifth behind Icantgoforthat on July 20, won her next start by daylight at 16-1, Shalini won her Fairplex Park debut by seven lengths 13 days ago and Danceoftheflags broke her maiden in her fourth appearance on Sept. 15.

Race of the day: The most interesting race on the card is the fourth, a one-mile turf affair for older fillies and mares. Blue Moon, a 4-year-old, French-bred filly, will make her California debut for owner B. Wayne Hughes and trainer Ron Ellis. Originally scheduled to run in the Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap on Wednesday, Blue Moon was good enough to finish second in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, a Grade I, last year at Keeneland in her most recent race. A first-time Lasix user, she has earned both of her wins at today’s distance and she has run well fresh. She broke her maiden in her career debut as a 2-year-old in 1999. Brice Blanc will ride.

Who’s hot: Jeff Mullins. The trainer has yet to start a horse at Oak Tree, but he sizzled at Fairplex. He led the standings with 11 victories.

Who’s not: The field in today’s sixth race. The 12 remaining participants are 0 for 60.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta putting Blue Moon on top with Swiss Miss, Slow Down and So Wistfullee in the two hole and all in the third spot.