Turning
Top, runner-up in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes Oct. 2, will try for a second graded
stakes victory in the $150,000 Las Palmas Handicap Sunday at Oak Tree/Hollywood
Park.
A
Grade II at one mile on turf, the Las Palmas is
the closing day feature of the inaugural Oak Tree at Hollywood Park
meet. There is also an Oak Tree sweatshirt giveaway. The item is available per
paid admission while supplies last.
Post
time Sunday is 1 p.m. The Las Palmas
is the seventh of nine races.
Owned
by Michael Tabor and trained by Simon Callaghan, Turning Top has won three of
four starts over the grass at Hollywood
Park. The 4-year-old
Pivotal filly out of the Cadeaux Generaux mare Pietra Dura earned her biggest
win in the Beverly Hills Handicap, a Grade III, June 26.
Bred
in Ireland
by Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd., Turning Top, who finished one length behind
winner Hibaayeb in the Yellow Ribbon at 10 furlongs, has six victories in 17
tries, earning $226,943.
Princess
Taylor also exits the Yellow Ribbon. The 6-year-old daughter of Singspiel and
the Mille Balles mare Tapas En Bal finished sixth in the Grade I.
Owned
by Dr. Ronan Lambe and trained by Paddy Gallagher, Princess Taylor has won four
of 37 and banked $232,325.
Westwood
Pride, a scratch from the Harold C. Ramser, Sr. Handicap Oct. 17, is stepping
up in class in her first start since winning an optional claimer on the turf at
Del Mar Sept.
3.
Owned
by Rustin and Juliana Kretz and trained by Kristin Mulhall, the 3-year-old
Pleasantly Perfect filly and the Kingmambo mare Palau has won three of nine and
earned $81,044. She has two wins and two seconds in four outings since joining
Mulhall’s stable in the spring.
Second
after setting the pace in the Swingtime Stakes at the Las Palmas distance Oct. 10, Briecat will be
looking for her second lifetime win on turf.
Trained
by Vladimir Cerin for owners David and Holly Wilson, the 5-year-old daughter of
Adcat and the Marlin mare Silk Briefcase has won seven of 23 overall and earned
$377,805.
Briecat’s
sole victory in seven grass appearances came in the Chandler Nov. 15, 2008 at Turf Paradise.
An
impressive allowance winner over the local turf Oct. 3, Blue Maiden will be
making her first stakes appearance in the United States for owner Earle Mack
and trainer Richard Mandella.
Bred
in England,
the 3-year-old Medicean filly out of the Generous mare Bluebelle has won two of
10 with earnings of $102,897. She was runner-up in a pair of Group III races in
her native country.
Distinctive
was last of nine in the Del Mar Oaks Aug. 21 in her first U.S. outing. Owned by breeder Gary
Middlebrook and trained by Gallagher, the 3-year-old Tobougg filly and the
American Chance mare Blue Azure has won two of nine. Her bankroll is $98,639.
Completing
the field are Wynning Ride and Value Stream.
Trained
by Bob Baffert for owner Arnold Zetcher, Wynning Ride has won three of 10 and
earned $308,108, but will be making her initial start on turf in the Las
Palmas. She is a 4-year-old by Candy Ride out of the Mr. Greeley mare Wynyard.
Third
in the Swingtime, Value Stream has three wins in 21 starts and earnings of
$185,118. The 5-year-old daughter of A.P. Indy out of the Storm Cat mare Storm
Beauty is owned by Robert Evans and trained by Neil Drysdale.
Drysdale
and Cecil are the only trainers with a starter in the 2010 Las Palmas who have won the race before.
Drysdale’s
victory came with Sapphire Ring in 1999. Cecil won two years later with Golden
Apples.
From
inside out, the field for the 41st Las Palmas Handicap: Briecat,
Patrick Valenzuela rides, 116 pounds; Westwood Pride, Rafael Bejarano, 113;
Distinctive, Joe Talamo, 113; Blue Maiden, Joel Rosario, 113; Wynning Ride,
Martin Garcia, 116; Princess Taylor, Victor Espinoza, 117; Turning Top, Brice
Blanc, 119 and Value Stream, David Flores, 115.