Santa Anita

Can Fascinating begin to fulfill her promise?

Steve Andersen|Jan 14, 2015

Shigeki Kikkawa Fascinating is Grade 1 placed but has won only a maiden race.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 4-year-old filly Fascinating has always been held in high regard. Fascinating, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, was a $1.3 million yearling purchase in 2012, the same year her half-brother Bodemeister won the Arkansas Derby and was second in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

What has been missing from Fascinating’s career so far are major wins.

Those could be on the horizon in 2015. Fascinating beat maidens in her seventh career start Dec. 6 at Los Alamitos and will be favored to win an optional claimer for fillies and mares over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Friday.

The race could lead to a stakes appearance, which would not be new for Fascinating. At 2, she was second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante and third as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes here.

By Smart Strike, Fascinating races for Hill n Dale Equine Holdings and Bruce Lunsford.

KEY CONTENDERS

Fascinating (Last 3 Beyers: 81-78-77)

◗ Fascinating was sidelined for a year with muscle problems in her hind end, Baffert said.

◗ Fascinating was fourth and second in maiden races at Santa Anita and Del Mar in October and November before winning over a mile at Los Alamitos. The elusive win took longer than expected, jockey Mike Smith said.

“I was disappointed because I thought she was better than that,” he said. “She showed a lot as a 2-year-old, but she needed a few races to get going. We’re hoping that race will move her up.”

Gracie Ragazza (Last 3 Beyers: 79-52-79)

◗ A former maiden claimer, Gracie Ragazza has won two of her last three starts, both at Los Alamitos – a starter allowance in September and an optional claimer Dec. 5. She was eligible to be claimed for $40,000 on Dec. 5 but is not entered for a claiming price Friday.

◗ Gracie Ragazza, 4, will be near the front but is not reliant on having the lead. She won from a stalking position in September.

Swiss Lake Yodeler (Last 3 Beyers: 55-59-68)

◗ Swiss Lake Yodeler has earned $277,100, the highest total among the six in Friday’s field, but struggled in 2014, going winless in seven starts. She won two stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies in late 2013. Her best results in 2014 were third-place finishes in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes and the Melair Stakes, both at Friday’s distance.