Allowance an easy spot for Alozaina

ARCADIA, Calif. - Since she arrived in the United States last spring, Alozaina has started against many of the country's top turf fillies and mares. She faces a much easier field Friday in a $56,000 allowance race at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

The 4-year-old Alozaina has one victory in 12 starts and earnings of $179,648. She appears overqualified for a first-condition allowance race, having finished third in the $500,000 American Oaks, third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, and a close fourth against fillies and mares in the Grade 3 Dahlia Handicap at Hollywood Park last December.

"We just want to try to win some races," said trainer Ron McAnally.

A little luck last year would have given Alozaina a stakes win. She was blocked in the stretch of the Honeymoon Breeders' Cup Handicap and finished fourth. In the San Clemente Handicap, she had trouble twice and finished fifth.

In her last start, the Grade 2 San Gorgonio Handicap at Santa Anita on Jan. 11, she was beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Tates Creek after being blocked in early stretch. Those performances will make Alozaina a strong favorite to end an 11-race losing streak dating back to a maiden win over about 1 1/8 miles on soft turf in France in October 2001.

Alozaina's competition includes a few fillies and mares that have started in stakes, but none with her extensive experience.

Sister Girl Blues is capable of a big performance. She finished second in the Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks in her second start last June and followed that with a seventh in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park. Trained by Terry Knight, Sister Girl Blues has had a series of fast works in recent weeks at Bay Meadows.

Who Loves Aleyna back from layoff

There are two other top-class allowance races on Friday's card.

In the second race, Who Loves Aleyna makes her first start in 19 months in a $52,000 optional claimer over 6 1/2 furlongs. The 4-year-old Who Loves Aleyna was stakes placed twice in 2001, finishing second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante and third in the Grade 3 Landaluce Stakes.

In the seventh race, Irish Warrior, second in the Turf Paradise Bree-ders' Cup Handicap on Feb. 1, is a contender in a $70,000 optional claimer over 1 1/8 miles on turf. He faces Blue Steller, Cagney, Kappa King, Lord Jim, and Night Patrol, each of whom has won or placed in stakes.