Photo: Hollywood Park
Trainer Jim Cassidy, who won the Honeymoon Handicap last
year with Evening Jewel, seeks another victory in the race Saturday with Whisper
Louise. The $150,000 Grade II stake is for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on
turf.
“I was very happy with her first start,” said Cassidy in
reference to a closing second behind Cambina in the Providencia Stakes on the
Santa Anita turf April 9.
Cassidy hopes the Irish-bred English-raced filly, owned by
Three Chimneys Racing, joins the long list of European imports that have
blossomed under his care.
Victor Espinoza, who
rode Evening Jewel last year and has won the Honeymoon three times in the past
seven years, has the return call.
Cambina, who won the Providencia and two other stakes at
Santa Anita before finishing third in the Senorita Stakes here May 7, worked
five furlongs on turf in 1:00.20 for the Jeff Bonde Stable. Joe Talamo has the
Honeymoon call.
Other probable starters include Senorita winner Star Billing
(Chantal Sutherland), Senorita runner-up Entrustment, unbeaten Sarah’s Secret
(Rafael Bejarano) and Bonita Star (Patrick Valenzuela).