Millionaire 4-year-old filly Evening Jewel, facing possible retirement just last month, will carry high weight of 122 pounds and likely favoritism in the $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap (gr. IIT) Feb. 21 at Santa Anita.
The Buena Vista, for fillies and mares at one mile on turf, is one of two graded stakes races that highlight a special Presidents’ Day racing program on Monday with first post for the nine-race card at 12:30 p.m. PST.
The other stakes is the $100,000 La Habra (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course. It attracted 14 entrants including three also-eligibles. The starting field will be limited to 11. Grade I winners A Z Warrior and Rigoletta launch comebacks in the La Habra, which goes as the sixth race.
Evening Jewel, a California-bred daughter of Northern Afleet trained by Jim Cassidy for Marilyn Braly, will face 10 rivals in the Buena Vista. She drew post 11 and regular rider Victor Espinoza will be in the saddle.
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