Island Fashion Returns in Santa Monica Handicap

During a career that has seen her win six times in 17 starts and earn over $1.72 million, Island Fashion has been especially effective at Santa Anita.

The 5-year-old gray daughter of Petionville has won three of five in Arcadia and has been second in her two defeats. She will try to improve her record in today’s $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap, a Grade I at seven furlongs.

Owned by breeder Jeff Neilsen’s Everest Stables, Inc. and trained by Marcelo Polanco, Island Fashion will be making her first start since finishing fourth in the Matriarch, a Grade I on grass, on Nov. 28 at Hollywood Park. Perfect in two tries at today’s distance, Island Fashion will be ridden for the first time by Patrick Valenzuela.

With Yearly Report scratched after running horribly in Saturday’s Sunshine Millions Distaff, eight fillies and mares are left to oppose Island Fashion, including South American invader Salt Champ.

A winner of four of seven in Argentina, the 5-year-old daughter of Salt Lake will be making her U.S. debut for owner Arturo Vargas and trainer Richard Mandella. Gary Stevens has the ride.

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Race of the day: Burning Sun, who hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the Turf Classic on May 1 at Churchill Downs, is among 15 horses who were entered in today’s $100,000 Mac Diarmida Handicap at Gulfstream Park. Jerry Bailey will ride the 6-year-old Danzig horse for Juddmonte Farms, Inc. and trainer Bobby Frankel in the Grade III at 1 1/2 miles on turf. Other contenders include Macaw, Host and Swagger Stick.

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One for the road: Mahzouz should get a good trip tracking what should be a contested pace and can upset the field in today’s $100,000 Aqueduct Handicap. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the 4-year-old Charismatic colt for Buckram Oak Farm and trainer Laurie LaFavers in the Grade III at 1 1/16 miles. The race is the eighth on the Aqueduct card.

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Exotically speaking: A pick three using Wannawinemall in the fifth, Miss Thirtyfour D and Jane Blossom in the sixth and Solar Echo, Any For Love, Elusive Diva, Puxa Saco and Nyramba in the seventh.

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Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/70. Money: Previous day/meet total: $9/$368. Total money bet: $444.