Great Hot tries two turns again in Sunday’s La Canada Stakes after
running in three straight sprints at seven furlongs. Trainer A.C.
(Antonio Carlos) Avila is confident the consistent daughter of Orientate
will appreciate the added distance.
“Distance is no problem,” he said. “She’s run at a mile three
times and was third in the Grade I Lady’s Secret at a mile and a
sixteenth. She’s versatile. She can go (on the pace), she can sit, she
can do whatever she wants.”
The Brazilian-bred 4-year-old filly won the Grade II Raven Run
on Keeneland’s Polytrack last Oct. 22, then had a troubled trip
finishing 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Churchill
Downs on Nov. 4 before rallying to finish third in the Lady’s Secret.
She has four wins from nine starts and earned $327,265.
“She’s always showed us she’s a good filly,” Avila said. “She
got sick after she won at Santa Anita last March and needed four months
off . . . Anyway, she’s back and in good shape.”
Probable for the La Canada: Capital Plan, Rafael Bejarano; Great Hot,
Chantal Sutherland; Include Me Out, Joe Talamo; May Day Rose, no rider;
Miss Radiance, David Flores; and Tiz Flirtatious, Joel Rosario.
Capital Plan is scheduled to work at Santa Anita Tuesday at 7:45
a.m. with Bejarano up, said Dan Ward, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer
Jerry Hollendorfer.