Photo: Hollywood Park
Trainer Jamie Lloyd nominated two
fillies to the $150,000 Honeymoon Handicap Monday, and although neither will
start, he still has two probable starters to cheer for in the Grade II test for
3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
Lloyd explained Thursday that his
two nominees--Glass of Red and Riviera Chic--would seek easier spots but that
he will still be happy if either Andina or In the Slips wins.
“I bought both Andina and In the
Slips and hope that one of them wins,” said the former bloodstock agent who
purchased the pair in England
after they started racing in 2009. “Both have been unlucky and should be helped
by a mile and an eighth.’’
Andina, an Irish-bred chestnut by
Singspiel, was a closing second in both the Providencia and Senorita Stakes in
her last two starts. Joe Talamo will ride her back for trainer Ben Cecil and
owner Arnold Zetcher.
In the Slips was a closing second in
the Miesque Stakes here in November in her United States debut. She came back
to win the Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita and subsequently was a troubled
fourth in the China Doll and third in the Providencia on the Arcadia grass. The Kentucky-bred daughter of
More Than Ready will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano for owner Michael House.
Andina and In the Slips are expected
to be joined in the Honeymoon by Senorita winner Cozi Rosie (Mike Smith),
Providencia winner City to City (Joel Rosario), Ashland Stakes winner and
Kentucky Oaks runner-up Evening Jewel (Victor Espinoza), Triple Cream (Tyler
Baze) and Florida import Dreamed to Dream (Brice Blanc).