Alissa's Atm bred to go two turns

ALBANY, Calif. - Six 3-year-old fillies meet in Wednesday's Golden Gate Fields feature, a $40,000 starter allowance at a mile. Only one of the six, Sunny Flight, has won above the bottom level of the maiden claiming ranks.

Trainer Angelo Tekos Jr. may have the filly to beat in Alissa's Atm, who won her debut for a $12,500 tag on Oct. 13. She has run twice since then at the $40,000 starter allowance level, finishing third and fourth in a pair of six-furlong sprints.

Tekos can't ask too much from her in works because she is a light-bodied filly, and has needed the three sprints to help build her stamina. However, Tekos said he has been looking forward to trying Alissa's Atm around two turns.

"I passed a sprint for this," he said.

Several rivals have two-turn experience, and Tekos concedes that they will have an edge. But the breeding of Alissa's Atm, by Mr. Purple out of the Travelling Victor mare Bright and Beyond, indicates a mile should be a good distance for her.

"It looks like there's some speed in there," Tekos said, pointing to Cali Randi, Im Really Shining, and Sunny Flight. "She relaxes nicely, and her natural speed should give her a good trip."

* Ten older fillies and mares were nominated to the $50,000 Richmond Handicap at six furlongs on Monday's Martin Luther King holiday card. Stakes winners Hippogator, Lyin Goddess, Our Mango, Pheiffer, and Yerevan Star are among the nominees.