Las Virgenes J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Dual Grade 1 heroine BLIND LUCK (Pollard's Vision) leads a field of six

postward in Saturday's $250,000 Las Virgenes S. (G1) at Santa Anita, and we see

no reason why the filly can't continue her strong run through the West Coast for

trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. A seven-length romper in the Hollywood Starlet (G1)

in her previous engagement, the chestnut Kentucky-bred has earned triple-digit

BRIS Late Speed numbers in her last three starts and isn't facing her most

accomplished field to date, leading us to believe that she'll get the job one

with something close to her best. Rafael Bejarano has the assignment.

We've been high on SWITCH (Quiet American) since her debut maiden win, and

the John Sadler pupil seems poised for a good showing with another furlong to

deal with in this one. The talented prospect finished a solid third in the Santa

Ynez S. (G2) and has a ton of upside, and she could be the lone filly in the

field who could match our top pick if she moves up in her third try. The bay,

who will be ridden by Tyler Baze, posted a pair of bullet moves in advance of

this, signaling that she is ready for her Grade 1 debut.

California Cup Juvenile Fillies S. vixen LA NEZ (Storm Creek) was a fine

third in the Darley Debutante S. (G1) last summer and has finished in the top

three in six of her seven lifetime tries for trainer Eric Kruljac. The dark bay

was third versus lesser last out, but her consistency makes her a viable exotics

threat under the guidance of Mike Smith.

Santa Ysabel S. (G3) star CRISP (El Corredor) is a consistent late runner who

is seemingly improving, but her BRIS Speed numbers are low and we can't endorse 

at this time. Also trained by Sadler, the dark bay is an obvious exotics threat,

nonetheless.

Santa Ysabel runner-up EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) has run first or

second in five in succession for trainer James Cassidy and has very good

tactical speed, which could yield her first run on the top pair turning for

home. The California-bred bay has been first or second in all four local tries

and could hang on for a minor award with Victor Espinoza in the saddle. SUMMER

GAMES (Limehouse) has run well in both career tries and could move over from her

far outside post to lead the field early for conditioner Caesar Dominguez. The

chestnut might move up with the added distance in here, but she could be a bit

behind these at this stage of her development.