Abrams eyes big day with Cal-breds

ARCADIA, Calif. - The path to victory Wednesday at Santa Anita goes through trainer Barry Abrams, who declared Wednesday "is one of those Cal-bred days, it's a place to run these horses."

Abrams entered six statebreds in four races and can begin the card with a victory even if The Town Lady is a filly facing colts in race 1, a maiden-40 starter allowance around two turns. To like her, handicappers only need to forgive a disappointing last start on turf.

"She ran really well on" synthetic, Abrams said, referring to a Dec. 26 maiden win one start back.

But why face colts?

"There won't be a filly race like this for a month, and it's not an overwhelming field," Abrams explained.

Among The Town Lady's opponents, Red Door Drive steps up after a daylight maiden-claiming win at Hollywood Park; Afleet Hopetown missed by a neck last out at this condition.

The Town Lady, if she reproduces her most recent start on Pro-Ride, can win under jockey Chantal Sutherland. The past two years at Santa Anita, Abrams and Sutherland have combined to go 10 for 51.

A first-level turf allowance for California-bred fillies and mares at one mile was split. Abrams has one runner in race 4, the stronger half, and two in race 6. The price on his race 4 starter, Mama Rosa, will be high; she finished ninth of 11 at Hollywood last out under similar conditions.

"She doesn't like Hollywood," Abrams said. "She wasn't happy that day."

Mama Rosa likes Santa Anita however. She missed by three-quarters of a length two starts back. Victor Espinoza, the top grass rider at the meet (5 of 16), rides Mama Rosa. Her main rivals are Princess Suances and Justincredible.

It would be an upset if Abrams wins race 6 with Powerofvoodoo or Party With Brando. Powerofvoodoo drops after a good third against open company. The knock is her 2-for-42 career record.

"She's a check collector," Abrams said. "She comes from behind and gets in trouble a lot."

Abrams will be satisfied if Party With Brando finishes in the top three. She is eligible to an easier maiden-40 starter allowance. Stretch-out sprinter Lady Alex is the horse to beat in race 6.

Abrams starts 0-for-15 Unknown Heat in race 8, a mile grass race for California-bred maiden fillies and mares. Unknown Heat finished third against males last out.