Elloluv, Composure Meet in Las Virgenes

When Elloluv beat Composure in the Hollywood Starlet on Dec. 14, it was one of the biggest upsets of 2002.

Second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies to the unbeaten Storm Flag Flying, Composure was the 2-5 favorite, and her first Grade I victory seemed a mere formality.

Elloluv had other plans. Making her first start around two turns and first against winners, the Gilded Time filly took control out of the gate and went on to win by four lengths at nearly 31-1.

The two fillies will have a rematch in the $200,000 Las Virgenes Stakes today at Santa Anita, and hardly anyone will be surprised if Elloluv knocks off Composure again.

Owned by Paul Reddam and trained by Craig Dollase, Elloluv followed up her win in the Starlet with another easy score in the Santa Ynez in her first start at Santa Anita.

Meanwhile, Composure has been away since the Starlet. She has trained well for Bob Baffert in recent weeks and will have a new rider with Jerry Bailey replacing Mike Smith. Unlike Elloluv, the daughter of Touch Gold, who is owned by Bob and Beverly Lewis, is proven in a two-turn race over the local surface. She won the Oak Leaf here last Oct. 6.

Rounding out the field in the Las Virgenes, a Grade I at a mile, are Puxa Saco, a disappointing fourth as the 13-10 favorite in the Santa Ynez; Favola, who will be making her U.S. and main track debut for owners David and Holly Wilson and trainer Vladimir Cerin; Watching You, second in the Santa Ynez; and Golden Gate Fields shipper Maddie’s Charm.

Race of the day: Ministers Wild Cat, the highly regarded half brother to former Breeders’ Cup Mile winner War Chant, will make his first start against winners in the $60,000 Golden State Mile at Golden Gate Fields.

Kent Desormeaux will ride for owners Irving and Marjorie Cowan and trainer Neil Drysdale.

Who’s hot: Peter Walder. The trainer, who consistently does well with claimers, won with five of his first 17 starters at Gulfstream Park.

Who’s not: Lonnie Meche. The jockey was only eight for his first 148 mounts at the Fair Grounds.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Ruff N Restless and Good Ol’ Uncle Joe in the first, Royal Footage, Dark Sorcerer, Spend Spend Spend, Fail Me Not and Cassirer in the second and singling Do Whats Right in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/92. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$557.60. Total money bet: $580.