Black Mamba, Passified face off in Las Palmas

Passified will try to turn the tables on Black Mamba in the Las Palmas (Alex Evers/Horsephotos.com)

Passified's only win this year came in the Redondo Beach S. going a mile over

Hollywood Park's turf, and the James Cassidy runner stayed at that venue to try

the CashCall Mile Invitational (G2) next up. She had the lead in the stretch,

but was passed by the top three and wound up fourth on that day. Regular rider

Mike Smith sent her right to the lead in the Mabee last out, and Passified held

well to be third while going nine furlongs. The cutback here could see her

finally return to the winner's circle, but VALBENNY (Ire) (Val Royal [Fr]) will

be doing all she can to take that honor for

herself.

The Bobby Frankel trainee put in a mild rally to be fifth in the Yellow

Ribbon most recently but has always done her best while going eight furlongs, as

evidenced by her 4-3-0-0 mark that includes a win in last season's Senorita S.

(G3). Another who will be seeking all the glory is KRIS' SIS (Forestry), who

just missed by a half-length when dead-heating for second with GOTTA HAVE HER

(Royal Academy) in the Palomar H. (G2) at Del Mar. Those two will be returning in this

spot off a 55-day break, which in no way compares to the 249-day layoff Grade 3

victress TRICK'S PIC (Favorite Trick) will have to overcome.