Ce Ce won't sneak up in Santa Maria

On a Monday in February at Santa Anita, Ce Ce won her first start in eight months by more than four lengths, surprising trainer Michael McCarthy with the ease of her victory.

“I thought she would run well in the first race of the layoff,” McCarthy recalled on Thursday. “When she won in the fashion that she did, I thought she could do bigger and better things.”

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That win in an allowance sprint with a $40,000 claiming option led to wins in consecutive Grade 1 races – the Beholder Mile at Santa Anita on March 14 and the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 18.

Ce Ce was not favored in those races. She will be the choice in Sunday’s Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita.

The Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland on Nov. 7 is a long-term goal for Ce Ce, McCarthy said.

“It’s a long summer,” he said. “There are a couple of things we need to accomplish.”

A 4-year-old owned by Bo Hirsch, Ce Ce has won 4 of 6 starts and earned $726,600. In her three wins this year, she has stalked the pace through the first six furlongs. Ce Ce was a comfortable winner of the Beholder Mile, but was fully extended to catch pacesetter Ollie’s Candy in the Apple Blossom Handicap at 1 1/16 miles. Ollie’s Candy led by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining. Ce Ce prevailed by a head.

“I thought we had the perfect trip,” McCarthy said. “The setup was great. The racetrack at Oaklawn Park was to her liking.”

The $200,000 Santa Maria is projected to have a small field, including Hard Not to Love, who was second in the Beholder Mile. Trained by John Shirreffs, Hard Not to Love set the pace in the Beholder Mile, which was not the plan.

“We thought breaking from the one hole caused her to go to the lead,” Shirreffs said. “I’d prefer her in a stalking position.”

Hard Not to Love, who is by Hard Spun, won consecutive seven-furlong stakes over the winter – the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies in December and the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes against older fillies and mares in February.

Hard Not to Love raced around two turns for the first time in the Beholder Mile. The Santa Maria will be the longest race for Hard Not to Love, who has won 5 of 7 starts.

“Until they do it it’s a concern,” Shirreffs said. “Her breeding indicates she should be able to do that.”

Ollie’s Candy is not expected to be part of the field for the Santa Maria. Trainer John Sadler said on Thursday that Ollie’s Candy will be pointed for the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park on June 13.