Mambo Slew Appears at Home on the Turf

Fifth in her first start on the main track, Mambo Slew has been unbeatable since being moved to the turf by trainer Patrick Biancone.

The 3-year-old daughter of Kingmambo has won all three of her races on the grass for owner Frank Manganaro, and she’ll try for another victory in today’s $70,0000 China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita.

Mambo Slew broke her maiden over the local turf course Oct. 18, then won the Miesque, a Grade III, at Hollywood Park on Nov. 28. She took the Blue Norther at Santa Anita in her most recent race on Jan. 14.

Set to break from post seven in the field of 10, she will carry a high weight of 122 pounds and be ridden by Mike Smith, who has been aboard for her last two victories.

The most obvious danger to Mambo Slew’s win streak is Gracefully. A 3-year-old Irish-bred filly owned by Amerman Racing and trained by Bobby Frankel, she will be making her first start in the U.S. after winning three of four in England. One of her victories came in the Prestige Stakes, a Group III, at Goodwood last summer.

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Race of the day: Snake Mountain, a 6-year-old A.P. Indy gelding, will make his first start of 2004 for trainer James Jerkens in today’s eighth, a $54,000 optional claimer at one mile, at Aqueduct. Snake Mountain has won 10 of 19 and has earned three of those victories in four starts at Aqueduct.

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One for the road: Winter’s Quest looks set for a repeat over a turf course she loves in today’s eighth, a $32,000 optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs, at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Shane Sellers will be aboard the 4-year-old Coronado’s Quest filly for C K Woods Stable and trainer Bill Badgett Jr. as she seeks her third victory in five tries on the Fair Grounds grass.

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Exotically speaking: A place pick all using Rednaround and Smoke Magic in the first, Gold Garters in the second, Aussie Girl and Fatal Caper in the third, Shari’s Delight in the fourth, All The Boys and Rhythm Mad in the fifth, Future Thought in the sixth, Gracefully and Mambo Slew in the seventh and Smoken Feathers and Apollo Willfool’ya in the eighth.

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Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/179. Money: Previous day/meet total: $24.20/$951.40. Total money bet: $1,030.