Baltas confident Place des Vosges can handle Santa Barbara distance

ARCADIA, Calif. – In practice, 1 1/2 miles is the perfect distance for Estrechada. In theory, the distance also is perfect for Place des Vosges.

Here’s the difference between the favorites in the Grade 3 Santa Barbara on Sunday at Santa Anita: Estrechada is proven at the trip, while Place des Vosges merely has pedigree and mannerisms for the distance. She has not done it yet.

“When you start running this far, there is a difference,” Estrechada’s trainer, Mike Puype, said.

Estrechada can run the distance. She finished second in a stakes the last time she raced 1 1/2 miles and could hold the advantage Sunday.

Place des Vosges, meanwhile, is unproven in a marathon. But her form is undeniably sharp, with back-to-back allowance wins, including a romp by four lengths last out. The question facing Place des Vosges on Sunday: Can she stay the trip?

“[Expletive] yes,” trainer Richard Baltas declared confidently. “It’s the way she gallops and trains, she switches off. And look at her pedigree.”

The 5-year-old mare Place des Vosges was sired by Pleasantly Perfect and is a sibling to Grade 3 marathon turf winner Closing Range. Based on bloodlines, Places des Vosges should handle 1 1/2 miles.

Although it appears to be a two-horse race, seven others entered. They are Evo Campo, Dressed to a T, Hiking, Responsibleforlove, Betty Draper, Mrs. Norris, and Laseen

Santa Barbara, Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

Estrechada, by Offlee Wild

Last 3 Beyers: 81-92-48

◗ She finished fifth last out in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita.

“I was trying to get her Grade 1-placed,” Puype said. “She missed third by a length and a half.”

The Santa Margarita “kept her fit for this race,” Puype said. “This was always the plan. She wants to run a distance.”

◗ Five starts on turf produced one second and two thirds. Her best turf finish was a runner-up effort two back in the Astra II Stakes at 1 1/2 miles. Stewart Elliott is her rider.

Place des Vosges, by Pleasantly Perfect

Last 3 Beyers: 89-82-78

◗ She was purchased privately for $90,000 by Abbondaza Racing and improved in four starts since she was transferred to Baltas.

“Sometimes they come into your barn and thrive,” he said. “My [exercise] riders tell me she’s getting stronger and stronger.”

◗ Place des Vosges won both of her starts since she added “cheater” blinkers. Baltas said he added blinkers because “she was looking around a little bit.”

◗ Corey Nakatani is her rider.

Evo Campo, by Approve

Last 3 Beyers: 84-92-89

◗ She won the $77,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes at 1 1/2 miles last summer and then was off until a creditable fifth-place comeback in the Grade 2 Santa Ana.

◗ Paddy Gallagher trains; Rafael Bejarano rides.