Curlin's Fox, after a layoff, is ready to go

DEL MAR, Calif. – Curlin’s Fox has been away the longest of any of the entrants in Thursday’s featured seventh race at Del Mar. But she looks to be the controlling speed, and she has run well fresh.

So, despite the layoff and reservations from her trainer that she might be a work short of optimal, Curlin’s Fox does look like a formidable player in the one-mile, third-level allowance race for female turf runners.

Curlin’s Fox won her debut in February 2015 at Santa Anita and last summer was a front-running winner of the Sandy Blue Handicap here. But she has not raced since November, owing to a small knee chip that surfaced after she ran in the Grade 1 Matriarch. It was removed arthroscopically, and she was given a lengthy vacation.

Trainer Carla Gaines said the initial plan was to start Curlin’s Fox earlier at this meet, but, she said, “There was a virus going around toward the end of Santa Anita that started with younger horses but then hit older horses, and she got it.”

On Sunday, though, Curlin’s Fox had her fifth work of the meet, going three furlongs on turf. The official time was slow, 37.60 seconds, but she looked well within herself, as if she was ready to return.

“She’s doing really well,” Gaines said. “She’s probably a work short of what I prefer.”

But with no turf racing after this meet until Santa Anita opens at the end of September, it’s time to go.

Curlin’s Fox has eight rivals, including Tiz a Kiss, who just missed in the Solana Beach on Aug. 14, and Amboseli, a French import who showed promise in two starts this year.

KEY CONTENDERS

Curlin’s Fox, by Curlin

Last 3 Beyers: 78-88-99

◗ She has won three times, and in concert with Mike Smith, who is back aboard.

◗ She has had bleeding problems in the past. Gaines said the time off was beneficial for that issue, too.

Tiz a Kiss, by Cee’s Tizzy

Last 3 Beyers: 90-74-78

◗ After a brief freshening, she was an unlucky loser of the Solana Beach, for California-breds.

“I thought she ran great. It was her best race in a long time,” said trainer Richard Baltas. “She’s been training really well here.”

◗ She has finished first or second in 5 of 7 starts on this turf course.

Amboseli, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-NA

◗ She beat a first-level allowance field at Santa Anita in her second start in this country May 7 but then was given a break.

“She got a little stiff behind,” said trainer Jim Cassidy, who has had a strong meet. “She’s just a lovely filly to be around.”