Dancingthenightaway, Sam's Sister being considered for graded stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 4-year-old fillies Sam’s Sister and Dancinthenightaway, both sharp winners in late December, are being considered for two Grade 2 races worth $200,000 next weekend – the La Canada Stakes for 4-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles Saturday or the Santa Monica Stakes against older fillies and mares over seven furlongs Jan. 19.

On Sunday, Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains Sam’s Sister, and Mark Glatt, who trains Dancinthenightaway, said they will wait until midweek before finalizing plans.

Sam’s Sister won her stakes debut in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes over seven furlongs Dec. 26. Dancinthenightaway is unbeaten in three starts, including an optional claimer over seven furlongs Dec. 27.

On Sunday, Glatt said he is leaning toward the Santa Monica for Dancinthenightaway but said, “I want to see how the race shapes up.”

Both races are unlikely to have large fields.

The probable starters for the La Canada are led by Lexie Lou, the winner of the Queen’s Plate Stakes at Woodbine last year, along with Colonel Joan, Jojo Warrior, Ramona’s Wildcat, Thegirlinthatsong, and Une Cherise.

The Santa Monica candidates include Global Hottie, Harlington’s Rose, Lexington Pearl, and My Sweet Addiction, a late scratch Sunday from the Paseana Stakes.

** Big Cazanova will be rested in coming weeks after finishing fifth Saturday in the $201,500 San Pasqual Stakes.

“We’ll give him a little break,” Miller said. “He’s a little tired.”

Big Cazanova won the first stakes of his career Nov. 29 in the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar. In the San Pasqual, Big Cazanova led on the turn but faded through the final furlong, finishing three lengths behind race winner Hoppertunity.