ken maddy

A full field of 14 is set for Wednesday's opening-day feature at Oak Tree,

the $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy H. (G3), down the hillside turf course at Santa

Anita, and STRONG FAITH (Pioneering) is our top selection. The late-running mare

exits a pair of good runner-up efforts over synthetic tracks, the A Gleam H.

(G2) at Hollywood and Rancho Bernardo H. (G3) at Del Mar, and we expect her to

pick up all the pieces here.

Trained by Jeff Mullins, Strong Faith offered an excellent rally for third,

beaten a half-length, in the Las Cienegas H. (G3) over this course in mid-April,

and she's in career-best form presently. The dark bay recorded century-topping

BRIS Speed and Late Pace ratings last out, and the Maddy figures to set up well

for her with a preponderance of early speed in the line-up. Strong Faith will

pick up the services of noted turf journeyman Brice Blanc.

ATTIMA (GB) (Zafonic) is the one to beat. The likely favorite won her last

start

over the course, winning the Wishing Well H. earlier this year, and the speedy

miss has proven effective when rating. She returns off a 219-day layoff, with

her last start being a third in the Buena Vista H. (G2), but trainer Julio

Canani excels at bringing runners back off the shelf (23 percent win off

extended layoffs). Attima appears to be training forwardly for her return, and

she figures to be in the thick of things, with a big chance for the whole

tamale, when the field turns for home.

SUPER FREAKY (Smart Stike) owns a 4-3-1-0 mark over the turf at Santa Anita,

winning the La Habra S. over the downhill course earlier this season, and the

sophomore filly will be making her first start versus elders here. She exits a

decent third in the nine-furlong Del Mar Oaks (G1), and the cutback in ground

figures to benefit the Doug O'Neill charge. A Grade 3 winner, the improving

filly is capable of offering a challenge for it all.

CLINET (Ire) (Docksider) just missed with a strong late charge in the

Monrovia H. (G3) over the course on New Year's Day, and her recent efforts are

better than they look. The five-year-old has been caught behind dawdling paces

in her last two outings, and the set-up will be much different on Wednesday. The

Paddy Gallagher-trained mare is still winless in the United States, but she's

got the opportunity to make a major impact from off the pace here.

FANTASTIC SPRING (Fantastic Light) is a confirmed speedball who will come out

gunning for the lead. We're impressed by her last two outings -- a pair of wins

in turf sprints at Del Mar -- and wouldn't be surprised to see her hang around

for a minor award. Grade 1 victress DANCING EDIE (Moscow Ballet) always shows

good speed routing, but she's facing quicker rivals in this cutback to a sprint.

We'll just watch to see how the classy mare fares, but we can't count her out of

top three consideration.

LADY GAMER (Game Plan) is doing well presently, but the California-bred miss

could get up caught up chasing the pace here. MACADAMIA (Artax), who has hit the

board in her last three attempts, could outperform our expectations, but we'll

look for more down the road from the three-year-old lass. SPENDITALLBABY

(Unusual Heat) might find this company a little too difficult.

ITSAWONDERFULLIFE (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) was last seen posting an impressive

maiden special weight score at Churchill Downs, but we have to question why she

hasn't started in the last 90 days. This looks like a learning experience for

her. STYLISH WILDCAT (Forest Wildcat) is very quick, but she could burn out in

this spot. RUNAWAY ROSIE (Include) broke her maiden over the course, but her

recent form is too bad for us to recommend her chances. TRUE AND TRUE (Is It

True) will also need a significant turnaround in form to be a factor. SOPHIE'S

TROPHY (Valid Wager) appears overmatched.