Billie Bob looks to rebound

DEL MAR, Calif. - At a glance, the fourth-place finish by Billie Bob in the Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park was not a flattering performance. She was beaten 6 3/4 lengths by The Golden Noodle.

Trainer Wesley Ward was not discouraged. The circumstances of the loss have left Ward optimistic that Billie Bob can rebound when she makes her second stakes appearance in the $125,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for 2-year-old statebred fillies over 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Friday.

Billie Bob, a quick filly, has drawn post 7 after breaking from the rail in the Landaluce.

"We ran in the 1 hole and they went fast," Ward said of the Landaluce. "She was dueling with another filly. The race didn't set up. I love her at 5 1/2.

"She'll run big. She loves this track."

Ward also entered One Hot Wish, who set a world record of 48.87 seconds for 4 1/2 furlongs in a maiden win at Keeneland in April. Ward said Wednesday that One Hot Wish was behind schedule in workouts and would not start in the CTBA Stakes. She may run against males in Wednesday's Graduation Stakes or against fillies in the Sorrento Stakes on Aug. 8.

"When I run her, I want to make sure she's 105 percent," Ward said.

Without One Hot Wish, Billie Bob will fight for the early lead with the maiden winners Expect Valkyr, We Love L.A., and Sharrene.

Sharrene is trained by Jeff Bonde, who won the CTBA Stakes in 2004 and 2005. Sharrene is making her stakes debut after needing three races to beat maidens, doing so at Golden Gate Fields on June 8.

"She needed a run or two to get to her best," Bonde said. "She's got a chance."

If the pace is too quick, the race may set up well for Treadmill, who finished second in the Landaluce Stakes, 3 1/2 lengths behind The Golden Noodle.

Trained by Craig Dollase for Paul Reddam, Treadmill is making her third start, having scored a stylish maiden victory in her debut over five furlongs at Hollywood Park May 26.

"She broke, sat off the speed, moved outside, and made a run," Dollase said of the maiden win. "She handled it easily."

Treadmill breaks from post 10, which Dollase considers to be an asset.