Bella Luma going good for Luther Burbank Handicap

There is no clear standout among the nine fillies and mares entered for Saturday’s $50,000 Luther Burbank at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Bella Luma may be favored in the 1 1/16-mile turf race off her spring accomplishments. She won three straight races, all in Northern California, capped by a victory in the Golden Poppy at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Golden Gate Fields in May. Despite finishing eighth, beaten five lengths, after a slow start in the Grade 3 Wilshire at Santa Anita in her last race, Bella Luma earned a career-high Beyer Figure of 85.

Eccentric Spinster, runner-up sprinting in the California Governor’s Cup at Sacramento on July 21, makes her third start following a layoff, while Southern California imports The Tulip and A Little Bit Me each have had a prep after a short layoff. The Tulip’s prep came six days ago.

Rebarules Again and Savannah Slew ran one-two at Golden Gate Fields in a June 7 second-level turf allowance race with a $62,500 optional-claiming price. Rebarules Again ran down the pacesetting Savannah Slew to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

Rebarules Again’s trainer, Tim McCanna, said he pointed her for this race following her allowance win, and he’s confident the improving 5-year-old Tribal Rule mare will bring her “A” game.

“She’s picked her training up,” he said, pointing to a five-furlong bullet work on July 15 and a strong six-furlong work July 22.

Trainer Manny Badilla thinks the former British runner Savannah Slew will like the Santa Rosa turf course.

“We were going to run at Del Mar, but this course is a little deeper than Del Mar’s, more like she was used to in England,” he said.

“She’s a grinder out there and really trains herself.”

Savannah Slew wound up preparations with a five-furlong best-of-75 bullet work last Sunday following a series of strong five-furlong moves.

Key contenders

Bella Luma, by Ministers Wild Cat

(Last 3 Beyers: 85-84-75)

◗ Catalino Martinez rode her to all three wins in her recent streak and picks up the mount again in the Luther Burbank.

Rebarules Again, by Tribal Rule

(Last 3 Beyers: 84-75-76)

◗ Most of her races have been sprints, but her last two wins have come at one mile. Her June 7 allowance win over Savannah Slew was the best performance of her 24-race career.

◗ She should get a stalking trip behind likely pacesetters Pyscho Sister and Savannah Slew.

Savannah Slew, by Kheleyf

(Last 3 Beyer: 82-82-81)

◗ Her first three starts in this country came sprinting on the Tapeta at Golden Gate, and she has two wins and a second since switching back to turf in the spring.