This Could Be a Turning Point for Victory U.S.A.

If Victory U.S.A. had stayed away from two-turn races, the 4-year-old Victory Gallop filly’s resume would look a lot better.

Trained by Bob Baffert for owner Thomas Van Meter II, Victory U.S.A. has won three of six starts around one turn, including stakes wins in Hollywood Park’s Moccasin and Keeneland’s Beaumont.

However, in five starts around two turns, the Kentucky-bred chestnut is winless. Her best finish was a second in the Fair Grounds Oaks last March 6 in New Orleans.

Idle since finishing third, beaten by a head, in the Del Mar Oaks on July 31, Victory U.S.A. will be playing her preferred game today in the $100,000 Las Flores Handicap at Santa Anita.

A Grade III at six furlongs, the Las Flores will mark the first start in Arcadia for Victory U.S.A. since she finished third behind Halfbridled and Ashado in the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. David Flores will ride as she makes her first start at the distance since she defeated maidens by 6 1/2 lengths in her Aug. 3, 2003 debut at Del Mar.

Papa To Kinzie is the one to catch in the Las Flores. An exceptionally fast filly trained by Marty Jones for Always Believe Inc., the 4-year-old daughter of Boston Harbor has the outside post in the field of 10 and will be ridden by Pat Valenzuela as she makes her first start in a graded stakes since she was third in last year’s Santa Ynez.

Race of the day: Amazing Buy, who has won her last three starts for owner Ernie Paragallo’s Paraneck Stable and trainer Jennifer Pedersen, will add the blinkers in search of another score in today’s $75,000 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct. Norberto Arroyo Jr. will again ride the 3-year-old High Yield filly in the 1 1/16 -mile race.

One for the road: Tadreeb looked good winning in his Gulfstream Park debut on Jan. 29 and can come right back for Shadwell Stable and trainer Mark Hennig in today’s $60,000 Dave Feldman at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Jerry Bailey will ride the 3-year-old Theatrical colt.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Tunder Ponche in the third, Boocfus, Saint Of The City and Lady’s Memo in the fourth and Whole Nine Yards, Dynout, Ground Control, Ricardo Voador and Newton John in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/118. Money: Previous day/meet total: $3.60/$634. Total money bet: $784.