High Hopes for Victory Spy

Victory Spy was one of the most impressive maiden winners of the Del Mar meet.

A 3-year-old daughter of Victory Gallop owned by Gary Barber and trained by John Sadler, Victory Spy quickly made the lead through fast fractions -- she ran the half mile in 44 2/5 -- and drew away to win by five lengths. She completed the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03 2/5 under jockey Martin Pedroza.

Dispatched at 5-1 on Sept. 5, Victory Spy figures to be a shorter price when she takes on five other fillies and mares in today’s sixth at Santa Anita.

Victory Spy, who broke from the rail in her win, has the inside post again in the $42,000 allowance at six furlongs.

The field includes two other 3-year-old fillies fresh off victories. Loni’s Appeal won by 3 1/4 lengths on Aug. 27 in her first race in 15 months, and Tempting Date is two for two after winning a California-bred allowance on the turf on Sept. 7 at Del Mar.

Race of the day: Follow The Rainbow, who has won two in a row on the dirt, will try turf for the first time in the seventh at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old Event Of The Year colt, who is owned by Ed Friendly and trained by Bob Baffert, will be ridden by Espinoza in the $49,000 allowance at one mile. Other contenders include In Excelsis, Apalachee Tiger (who is also trained by Baffert) and Aragorn (who arrives from Europe with one win in five starts).

One for the road: Ugotadowhatugotado steps up a notch after being claimed by trainer Art Sherman and gets Russell Baze as she goes dirt to turf in today’s seventh at Bay Meadows. The 4-year-old Jazzing Around filly, who was claimed for $25,000 on Sept. 10, has one win in two previous starts on turf entering the $32,000 claimer at five furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Smarmy Charm in the second, Glacken’s Appeal, P R’s Princess and Thrillofalifetime in the third and Domaine, Danclare and Grecian in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/3. Money: Previous day/meet total: $17.80/$17.80. Total money bet: $18.