Comedy Girl trying Tapeta

ALBANY, Calif. - Comedy Girl usually puts a smile on trainer Gloria Buckridge's face when she runs.

"When the gate opens, the only thing on her mind is to run," said Buckridge, who has seen the 3-year-old filly win 3 of 6 starts and pick up checks in two stakes since she started to train her this spring.

Comedy Girl will make her first main-track start for Buckridge in Thursday's Golden Gate Fields feature, a $32,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares. She will break from the outside post in the field of seven under Russell Baze.

Although Buckridge has only sent out Comedy Girl on turf so far, she isn't concerned about trying Tapeta.

"I have never thought she only needed turf," Buckridge said. "I think she'll run on anything, even rocks. I thought the turf courses were safer.

"She's handled this track marvelously. She handles it great. We blew her out Sunday, and when Russell came back, he told me the work was 'as good as good gets.' "

Buckridge has nominated Comedy Girl for the Sunshine Millions and likes the timing of this race. Spots Sunday and Wednesday didn't fill.

"She needs time between races because she gets so keyed up," said Buckridge.

The trainer has used long gallops to keep Comedy Girl fit since her last start, on Oct. 21 at Santa Anita, when she finished fourth in a sprint down the hill while earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure.

"She got in as much trouble as any horse could get early and was well behind the field," Buckridge said. "She really came flying and only got beat 1 1/2 lengths. As I walked her back to the barn, I must have had eight or 10 people ask me, 'How much the best was she?' "

Comedy Girl will need to be at her best Thursday when she faces a solid group of rivals, including Zorra Roja and Mamita Chula, second and third against similar last time on the turf; Andover the Cash, who just won a starter allowance on the turf; stakes-placed Lady Raj; improving Blazeisagamelady; and Holiday Event.

Earlier on the card, Pleasure Grounds, who graduated in a straight maiden race here Nov. 25, makes his first start against winners in a six-furlong starter allowance for 2-year-olds that could serve as a prep for the Jan. 5 Stinson Beach Stakes.

Carson's Melody, second against similar in his first start against winners, and King of My Castle, claimed from a $20,000 maiden victory in his last, seem to be the primary rivals.