Calder: Musical Romance could make 2012 debut in Santa Monica at Santa Anita

MIAMI – Trainer Bill Kaplan lost his original option for the 2012 debut of Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Musical Romance’ when the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint was recently transferred from Santa Anita to Gulfstream Park. But Kaplan is still considering sending Musical Romance west for her next start in Santa Anita’s Grade 1 Santa Monica Stakes on Jan. 28.

“I really wanted to run her in the Sunshine Millions race because it was a nice spot for her return, and it gave me a chance to try her over the same track where they’ll be running the Breeders’ Cup next season, which is obviously our main goal for her in 2012,” said Kaplan. “Only now, the Sunshine Millions race will be held at Gulfstream with the purse cut from $200,000 to $150,000. But the Grade 1, which is on the same day as the Sunshine Millions, is very tempting since it still gives me the opportunity to try her over the track at Santa Anita.”

Musical Romance returned to Calder shortly after parlaying a perfect rail skimming ride by jockey Juan Leyva into a 1 1/4-length triumph over Switch in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint. The victory was the fifth in 14 starts this season for Musical Romance, who banked over $1,040,000 in 2011 for Kaplan. The trainer owns the filly in partnership with the Pinnacle Racing Stable.

“Transportation is my biggest concern regarding the race in California,” said Kaplan. “I’d like to be able to fly her out there nonstop if I could. That wouldn’t have been a problem if they still had the Sunshine Millions races, but I’m not sure what kind of flights will be available now.”

Kaplan said Musical Romance will likely have her first work since the Breeders’ Cup in the next 10 days over her home base at Calder.

Hong Kong trip for Perfect Shirl

Another filly who pulled off a shocker at this year’s Breeders’ Cup, Filly and Mare Turf winner Perfect Shirl, is not done for the year. Trainer Roger Attfield confirmed Friday that Perfect Shirl is being targeted for the $1.8 million Hong Kong Vase on Dec. 11.

“Everything is in the works right now,” said Attfield. “There’s a lot of pre-race testing and paperwork to get done, but hopefully she’ll be off to Hong Kong on Wednesday or Thursday.”

Attfield, who has never raced in Hong Kong, said among the little nuances he must deal with is the fact his filly will be racing clockwise for the first time in Hong Kong.

“I’ve been galloping her clockwise on the turf course to get her used to going the other way, and she seems to be handling it okay,” said Attfield. “I worked her here at Payson the other morning over the main track, but I’ll give her a handy work right-handed over the turf on Tuesday. It’s going to be a challenge, but we’re quite looking forward to giving it a go.”

Attfield said he has no immediate plans for Oregon Lady, who posted her first graded stakes win in the Grade 3 My Charmer on Thanksgiving day at Calder.

“I don’t have anything picked out for her next start,” said Attfield. “She’ll probably run sometime at Gulfstream, but she will not be over-raced this winter.”

Trujillo avoids injury

Jockey Elvis Trujillo was fortunate to escape a frightening looking spill in Thursday's fifth race none the worse for wear. Trujillo came off the 5-2 Angel Dreams after the favorite was bumped and then clipped heels with another rival during the opening furlong of the mid-level conditioned claimer.

“Elvis was sore but could have ridden the stakes in the next race, only the track doctor advised against it,” said Trujillo’s agent, Cliff Collier.

Trujillo was scheduled to ride outsider Grecian Maiden for trainer Michael Trombetta in the My Charmer.

Collier said Trujillo planned to take a few days off but will return in time to ride the Tropical Turf Handicap here next Friday.