Arles tries to extend Motion's hot hand in Robert Frankel

ARCADIA, Calif. – Waves of fresh horses are adding depth to winter stakes at Santa Anita. The theme continues Saturday.

Arles makes her second start in California as the horse to beat in the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel, race 4. She is trained by Graham Motion, whose comeback shipper Queen Blossom makes her U.S. debut as a live longshot in the Grade 1 American Oaks, race 8.

Both fillies will try to continue the trend from opening day, when comebackers or shippers won all four stakes. Queen Blossom might be a reach in the American Oaks, but Arles is among the favorites in the Frankel, a 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares in which her main rivals also are new shooters.

Ryans Charm, first across the wire in 17 of 25 starts, finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in her North American debut; Goodyearforroses makes her California debut after being purchased at auction in November.

The Frankel also includes the California debuts of European import Sweet Charity and Argentina Group 1 winner Pretty Girl, along with locals Keri Belle, Frenzified, and Into The Mystic.

But the horse to beat is Arles, whose trainer, Motion, entered the week having won with four of his last eight California starters, including three stakes.

“Hopefully, we haven’t used up all our mojo,” Motion said.

It is not likely, although Arles could be challenged by the Frankel distance after finishing second last out in the Grade 3 Red Carpet at 1 3/8 miles.

“We’re taking a bit of a gamble shortening her up to a mile and one-eighth,” Motion said. “I think she’ll handle it, especially with her running style.”

Arles has enough tactical speed to be forwardly placed in a race short on pace. Joel Rosario rides the 2-for-11 Arles, a runner-up three straight.

Ryans Charm raced 24 times in Peru and Argentina prior to her U.S. debut for trainer Paddy Gallagher. She finished sixth, beaten 4 1/2 lengths, in the BC Filly and Mare Turf.

“We were hoping she’d run respectably, and she did more than that,” Gallagher said. As for the distance, Gallagher said, “A mile and one-eighth might be on the short side for her.”

Robert Frankel, Race 4

KEY CONTENDERS

Arles, by Monsun

Last 2 Beyers: 94-96

◗ Rain is forecast; Arles has run well on wet ground.

Ryans Charm, by Heatseeker

Last Beyer: 96

◗ She benefitted from a ground-saving trip in the BC Filly and Mare Turf; Rafael Bejarano rides her back.

◗ She raced 22 times in Peru, where she was a multiple Group 1 winner. She raced twice in Argentina, including finishing first in a Group 1, but was disqualified.

Goodyearforroses, by Azamor

Last 3 Beyers: 88-79-73

◗ She was purchased for $200,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November sale; the Frankel is her first start in California for trainer Richard Baltas.

“She’s very aggressive, she trains very forwardly,” Baltas said. “She trains like a horse that wants to run. I don’t think she’ll be very far out of it.”

◗ Corey Nakatani has worked Goodyearforroses, and he rides her.