Ces't Mark settles in as a good one

DEL MAR, Calif. - Ces't Mark ran like an experienced filly when she closed through the stretch to win the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar on July 21.

In her third start, rallied wide to outfinish the 19-1 shot Won More Penny by a neck. The victory was the first stakes win for Ces't Mark.

Trainer Jose Silva expects Ces't Mark to leave Del Mar next week with another stakes win. The chance comes in Wednesday's $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies.

"She only needs to run the same race," Silva said. "She's ready to go."

Silva says that Ces't Mark is a calmer filly since she ran in the CTBA Stakes. Silva said the transfer from Santa Anita to Del Mar in late July was a source of anxiety.

"She was a little excited," Silva said. "Now, she's calmed down."

Ces't Mark will go favored in the Generous Portion Stakes, which is run at six furlongs. The race has attracted five of the seven runners from the CTBA Stakes, including Won More Penny and Sharoana, who finished third.

Sharoana was the slight 2-1 favorite over Ces't Mark in the CTBA Stakes. A stakes winner at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton in July, she led past the eighth pole in the CTBA Stakes before fading to lose by 1 3/4 lengths. Trained by Jeff Bonde, Sharoana is expected to be on the lead in the Generous Portion.

The race will be the stakes debut of High Cholesterol and Little City, maiden race winners at Hollywood Park.

Little City won her second start in a maiden special weight over 4 1/2 furlongs against open company on May 25. She led throughout, winning by a length in a quick 51.32 seconds.

Little City worked only once in June but has worked regularly since the start of the Del Mar meeting in July. Little City is trained by Mike Harrington, who will also start Swiss Rose, the fifth-place finisher in the CTBA Stakes.

High Cholesterol won a maiden-claimer in her debut at Hollywood Park on July 12. In that race at 5 1/2 furlongs, High Cholesterol closed from third to win by 2 1/4 lengths.