French Twist in Las Cienegas
The last time Dedication visited California, the French-bred mare almost scored a major surprise.
Trained by Christophe Clement for owner Ghislaine Head, the gray daughter of Highest Honor was third, beaten a neck, at 23-1 in the Matriarch, a Grade I, on Nov. 30 at Hollywood Park.
A winner once in two starts since, Dedication is back in the Southland and will be a much shorter price than 23-1 in today’s $100,000 Las Cienegas Handicap, a Grade III at about 6 1/2 furlongs on Santa Anita’s downhill turf course.
On the board in 11 of 16 races on the grass, Dedication won her last start -- a $67,000 stake at Gulfstream Park -- going a mile, but she is more than capable around one turn. On Oct. 13 at Belmont Park, she won a six-furlong allowance race at Belmont Park by 2 1/4 lengths as the 3-5 favorite.
The Las Cienegas also marks the comeback of Etoile Montante, who hasn’t been out since finishing 11th of 14 as the 2-1 favorite in the Matriarch. A winner of half of her 10 starts on grass, the 4-year-old Miswaki filly will race on Lasix for the first time for trainer Bobby Frankel.
A race earlier, Royally Chosen will seek her fifth win in 12 tries at Santa Anita against Pesci and five other fillies and mares in the $75,000 Santa Lucia at 1 1/16 miles.
Race of the day: Nonsuch Bay, who has finished in the top three in all eight of her starts at Gulfstream Park, will try to defend her title in the $75,000 Banshee Breeze Handicap against 11 other fillies and mares today at Gulfstream Park. Eibar Coa will ride the 5-year-old daughter of Mr. Greeley for Thorn Stable and trainer Frank Alexander.
One for the road: Chasing Amy chased the streaking Callmelauryn in her California debut for trainer Matt Chew and can get the money in today’s ninth at Golden Gate Fields. Leading rider Kevin Radke has the mount in the $21,200 starter allowance at a mile on the turf. It’s the final race of the meet before Bay Meadows opens on Wednesday.
Exotically speaking: Linda Belinda and Healthy Addiction in the third, Cerese Sunrise and Funny Woman in the fourth and Canny Fly, Cap Ferrat and Magic Horn in the fifth.
Winners: Previous day/meet total: 6/217. Money: Previous day/meet total: $26.60/$1,142. Total money bet: $1,256.
