Sharp Lisa Ready to Run

Sharp Lisa, who is probably the third-best 3-year-old filly stabled in California behind Sweet Catomine and Splendid Blended, will make her 2005 debut in today’s $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Doug O’Neill, the daughter of Dixieland Band will be running for the first time since she finished second to Splendid Blended in the Hollywood Futurity on Dec. 19. Tyler Baze will ride in the Grade II at seven furlongs.

This will be the first time Sharp Lisa has run less than 1 1/16 miles since her debut and she fared well that afternoon. In her bow on Sept. 12 at Calder, she broke her maiden by 6 1/2 lengths as an 11-1 longshot going 5 1/2 furlongs.

Earlier on the card, Bushwacker, who is best known for finishing second to the unbeaten Declan’s Moon in the Hollywood Prevue on Nov. 20, will take on five other 3-year-old sprinters in the $100,000 San Miguel Stakes at six furlongs.

Co-owned and trained by Bill Currin, the 3-year-old Outflanker colt will break from the rail against Senor Fango, Going Wild, an impressive maiden winner on opening day for owners Bob and Beverly Lewis and trainer Wayne Lukas, So Long Birdie, General John B and Fallfree.

Race of the day: Smokin Forest, a Virginia-bred son of Forestry, will try for his third win in four starts for the Eldon Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher in today’s $75,000 Jimmy Winkfield at Aqueduct. Richard Migliore has the call in the six-furlong race against Maddy’s Lion, Lieutenant Danz, Gold Joy, Primal Storm and More Smoke, who has won his last two starts at Pimlico and Mountaineer by a combined 16 3/4 lengths for trainer John Zimmerman.

One for the road: Yes Yes Yes makes his second start and first for Pletcher after chasing eventual repeater Razor in his lone start as a 2-year-old two months ago at Churchill Downs.

John Velazquez will ride the 3-year-old Yes It’s True Colt for Team Valor in today’s seventh race at Gulfstream Park, a $32,000 maiden affair at seven furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Royal Price and Mighty Beau in the second, Bushwacker, Going Wild and So Long Birdie in the third and Alpine Sport and Lotta Loot in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/45. Money: Previous day/meet total: $19.20/$250.80. Total money bet: $274.