Coco Belle will try to wire 'em

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - There is no secret strategy Sunday at Hollywood Park, where a field of 10 entered Grade 3 Railbird Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies.

"It's pretty straightforward," said Coco Belle's trainer, John Sadler. "I think I have the best horse. The question is, can she get the seven furlongs?"

A pure speedball, Coco Belle will employ a basic front-running strategy in the $100,000 Railbird. Owned by bred by Jerry and Ann Moss, Coco Belle will try to lead gate to wire against Grade 1-placed Silver Swallow, 2-for-2 Sindy With an S, and Northern California stakes winner Glorification.

The field includes other front-runners besides Coco Belle, but none as consistently quick as her. "I don't think there is 44 [-second] speed," Sadler said.

Coco Belle has won 2 of 5 starts, and though she faces a larger field than last time - a third in the four-horse Grade 3 Santa Paula - this time she faces no apparent superstars.

She followed her Dec. 26 maiden win with a blazing allowance triumph Feb. 1, winning by nearly 10 lengths while earning a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. But in the Santa Paula on April 1, she had the misfortune of hooking a freak. Magnificience merely toyed with Coco Belle before drawing off by five.

The pace battle took a toll on Coco Belle, and she was nipped for second. The Railbird will be her first start on Cushion Track.

"She has trained here all winter, I think that's in her favor," Sadler said.

Victor Espinoza rides Coco Belle, who can win if she clears front-runners Unusual Beauty, Forest Huntress, Glorification, and Storm Queen. That is a lot of heat to put away.

A duel would benefit Silver Swallow. Runner-up to Rags to Riches in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on March 11, Silver Swallow was uncomfortable on grass next out. In the Railbird, trainer Bruce Headley will learn if Silver Swallow handles Cushion Track. She is a closer who will be rolling late under Alex Solis.

Sindy With an S has won both her starts. Her April 21 allowance win was flattered Thursday when the filly she beat returned to win by two lengths. The knock on Sindy With an S is she chased fractions of 22 and 45 seconds in her races. She will not have that luxury Sunday, because Coco Belle routinely does 21 and 44.

Other starters are Ashley's Kitty, High Cholesterol and Adoradora. The Railbird is race 8 on a nine-race card.