Chapman calls filly still green

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Sunday's $50,000-added Mid-Peninsula Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at the Bay Meadows Fair is not usually a race that the winner of a $125,000 stakes would consider. But trainer James K. Chapman believes it's a perfect spot for Humorous Lady.

Third in her debut at Hollywood Park, Humorous Lady graduated by a neck for a $40,000 claiming price in her second start. In her last start on July 26, she won the $125,000 CTBA Stakes by a nose at Del Mar.

"She's a real good filly, but she's still running a little green," Chapman said. "Her wins are deceiving. She waits around when she's in front."

The fact that she has won two photos shows Chapman that Humorous Lady - a California -bred daughter of Distorted Humor out of the It's The One mare My Glamorous One - does have some heart.

The victory in the CTBA Stakes came after an adventureous van trip from Los Angeles.

"We vanned down from Hollywood Park that morning and got caught in traffic," Chapman said. "We arrived a half hour before her Lasix shot."

Despite the vanning inconvenience, Humorous Lady won at 40-1. That price played into Chapman's thinking as he decided to run in the Mid-Peninsula.

"I am a part owner of the filly, but when you have the luxury of having owners who want to do what's best for the horse, it makes things easier," Chapman said. "I realize she won, but I said there's no sense in being silly about an $80 horse and putting her in a Grade 2 stakes.

"We want to take time and let her develop. I think there's a lot more there."

Despite her victory in the CTBA Stakes, Humorous Lady may not be an overwhelming favorite in the field of six for the 5 1/2-furlong race.

Market Garden is 2 for 2 in her brief career and is also a stakes winner, having won the Solano County Juvenile Fillies Stakes on July 21 at Vallejo.

While Humorous Lady flashes great speed, Market Garden is content to relax early before unleashing a strong stretch kick.

Market Garden's trainer, Carmella Anderson, said the horse is training as well as she had before the stakes race at Vallejo.

Stakes-placed Her Emminence, still a maiden after finishing second and third behind Market Garden in her two starts, is another late-running filly who should be a factor.

for Bay Meadows entries.

Subscribers: to purchase past performances for Bay Meadows.

Non-subscribers: to purchase past performances for Bay Meadows.