Santa Ynez

Likely juvenile filly champion FOLKLORE (Tiznow) will lead a

compact field of six postward to contest the $150,000 Santa Ynez S. (G2) at

Santa Anita on Monday. The bay lass was last seen pulling clear to impressively

take the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and before that in a 14-length

romp in the Matron S. (G1), both at Belmont Park, and towers over this field

from a class standpoint. In addition to that, the filly looks like the clear

early speed and drew perfectly in the four path. She has been installed as the

1-5 morning line choice, and for good reason, but it's hard for us to recommend

a prohibitive favorite like her to our loyal readers.

TRICK'S PIC (Favorite Trick) has always been highly thought of by her

connections and could reward them in here with her best showing. The dark bay

was unplaced in both the Alcibiades S. (G2) and Pocahontas S. (G3) in the fall,

but improved with her trip out west and the addition of Lasix, taking a recent

allowance/optional-claiming race by 5 1/4 lengths going away. Trainer Patrick Biancone wins at a

high percentage with youngsters in graded races, and the feeling here is that

Trick's Pic was simply prepping for this race last out. We realize that this

lass will need every break to knock off the favorite, but even Cigar lost on the

West Coast.

Seeing Folklore in the winners' circle following the race would not be much

of a surprise to us, but we'll stick her in the second slot for this affair.

DANCE DAILY (Five Star Day) has not lived up to the hype following her

splendid debut, but could last for part here with a good trip. The chestnut

has posted some strong pace numbers in the past and could find herself on or

very close to the lead early. Part of an entry with Folklore for conditioner D.

Wayne Lukas, the filly will obviously not offer any value, but could add some

graded-placed black type to her resume with a top showing.

TALULLAH LULA (Old Trieste) offered little resistance late in the Sharp Cat

S. around two turns, but could appreciate the cut back to one-turn racing in

here. The Bob Baffert charge sizzled five furlongs in a bullet :58 in advance of

this, so fitness is not an issue, and she'll be guided by the red-hot Garrett

Gomez. Any improvement for the filly could see her in the top three.

MY LITTLE MONKEY (Old Trieste) broke her maiden at 1 1/16 miles from off the

pace, so she will likely be the beneficiary of any pace collapses in here.

Trained by Tim Yakteen, the Kentucky bred looks up against it for the win here

but could grab a minor share with a strong late run.

LAKE COMO (Salt Lake) has been unplaced in three straight, including two

stakes events, and looks misplaced with this bunch. The gray will take the

blinkers off for this and could move up with the equipment change. Nonetheless,

we'll let her beat us at a big price.