Heir Kitty, fresh off an allowance score going six furlongs on Dec.
7, will stretch out to two turns for the first time on New Year’s Day as
she looms prominent among a group of 14 3-year-old fillies engaged to
contest the $75,000 Blue Norther Stakes at one mile on turf.
Trained by Peter Miller, the Florida-bred daughter of Wildcat
Heir was an impressive first-out maiden special weight winner going six
furlongs on turf at Betfair Hollywood Park on July 8. Subsequently
second versus colts in the Grade II Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar on Aug.
5, Heir Kitty was a well beaten fifth in the Grade I Del Mar Debutante
on Sept. 1.
In her allowance score on Dec. 7, she sat well off the early pace
and won going away under Garrett Gomez, who rides her back in the Blue
Norther. If she settles as readily on Tuesday as she did in her most
recent start, she could be running late under Gomez again at the added
distance.
Owned by Bernsen or Makin, Heir Kitty has banked $96,800 from a record of 5-2-1-0.
Scarlet Strike, who comes off an impressive third-place finish
in the Grade I, 1 1/16 miles Hollywood Starlet on Dec. 8, will try
the turf for the first time in the Blue Norther and could well be the
post time favorite.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Smart Strike, Scarlet Strike broke
her maiden going a mile at Del Mar on Sept. 2 and was subsequently
second, beaten 6 ½ lengths, by the highly regarded Executive Privilege
in the Grade I, 1 1/16 miles Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept.
29.
Owned by Carver, Hollendorfer or Smith, and trained by Jerry
Hollendorfer, Scarlet Strike will again be ridden by Joe Talamo, who
guided her to stakes-placed finishes in her last three races.
Scarlet Strike, who has rallied from far off the pace in several
races, will be adding blinkers for the first time in the Blue Norther
and could be in closer attendance on Tuesday. Her record stands at
6-1-2-3, with earnings of $184,240.
Travesura, a gate to wire winner of the Grade III Miesque Stakes
at one mile on turf Nov. 24, will be in search of her third consecutive
win in the Blue Norther. Trained by Jeff Mullins, the Kentucky-bred
daughter of Limehouse will be ridden again by Tyler Baze and could be
tough to catch on the lead.
Owned by Val-U Chem Inc., Travesura has earnings of $95,600 from a record of 4-2-0-1.
Trainer Jim Cassidy will saddle the multiple stakes-placed
Somethingabouther, who was fifth, beaten 2 ¾ lengths, by Travesura in
the Miesque. Owned by Deron Pearson, Somethingabouther has earnings of
$58,800, from a record of 7-1-1-2.
The complete field for the Blue Norther, to be run as the eighth
on a nine-race program, with jockeys and weights in post position
order: Heir Kitty, Garrett Gomez, 118; Scarlet Strike, Joe Talamo, 118;
Fiftyshadesofhay, Rafael Bejarano, 118; Secret Motive, Agapito
Delgadillo, 118; Wittgenstein, Mario Gutierrez, 118; Akiss Forarose
Orlando Mojica, 118; Escape Act, Corey Nakatani, 118; Somethingabouther,
Mike Smith, 118; Wildcat Angie, Martin Pedroza, 118; Sky High Gal,
Julien Leparoux, 118, and Travesura, Tyler Baze, 122. ALSO ELIGIBLE:
Moulin de Mougin, Nakatani, 118; Birdlover, Edwin Maldonado, 118, and
Exclusive Story, Mario Gutierrez, 116.