Calder notes: My Pal Chrisy back in form

Coady Photography

My Pal Chrisy has been back on her best game since returning to Calder on a regular basis.

MIAMI - One of the stars of Saturday's Florida Million Day card at Calder was My Pal Chrisy, who successfully and impressively defended her title in the Elmer Heubeck Distaff Handicap with a 7 1/4-length victory over Flying Trip for owner-trainer Padarath Lutchman.

My Pal Chrisy's form had tailed off following her three-length win in the 2011 Heubeck, but she's been back on her best game since returning to Calder on a regular basis during the second half of her campaign.

"I ran her a few times at Gulfstream last winter, and she just didn't handle the track," said Lutchman. "Then I took her to Kentucky for a couple of starts, and she didn't like the travelling, either. But ever since she's been back home she's trained and raced like her old self, and I wasn't surprised by the way she won the other day."

Lutchman said despite My Pal Chrisy's lack of success last season at Gulfstream, he's planning on running her there again this winter with an eye toward the Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff on Jan. 19.

"She's more mature, definitely more developed, and a much stronger filly than she was last year, so I'm going to try her again at Gulfstream," said Lutchman.

Lutchman, who operates a construction business as well as a farm in Ocala, has 17 horses bedded down at Calder, all of whom he owns himself and runs under the nom de course of Tony's Investments LLC. My Pal Chrisy is the only stakes winner he has had since beginning his training career here five years ago.

Angelica Zapata to pass My Charmer

Trainer Ron Pellegrini confirmed Wednesday that Angelica Zapata will not return to the turf in the My Charmer Handicap on Thanksgiving Day. Angelica Zapata has won her last four starts, all stakes and all on dirt, since she launched her 4-year-old campaign finishing second under allowance conditions on the grass here during the spring.

Pellegrini said he is undecided on when Angelica Zapata would make her next start. She has not worked since capturing the Stage Door Betty Handicap by seven lengths in late September.