Dollase's two Euros intriguing
ARCADIA, Calif. - There are few trainers better at bringing a horse off a layoff, or improving on European form, than Wally Dollase. And that is why his entry of Brag and Godsend merits serious consideration in Friday's featured sixth race at Santa Anita, even though both 3-year-old fillies had only moderate campaigns in Britain last year.
The sixth race is at one mile for first-level allowance fillies, or those entered for an $80,000 claiming price.
Both won once last year in Britain. Brag captured a five-furlong handicap at Leicester in July, but then tailed off in two subsequent starts. She has not raced since August.
Godsend scored her lone victory against males at Warwick going five furlongs on July 2. She raced through October.
Both fillies have recorded a steady series of drills at Hollywood Park, where Dollase is based. So far this meet, Dollase has a 22-percent strike rate, and he shows a positive return on investment with horses making their first start in North America, and with horses making their first start under his care.
Neither cracked into the 80's on the Timeform ratings last year, though, so they will need to improve here.
Of the known commodities, three fillies - Crystal House, Distant Charm, and Single Market - all defeated maidens in their last start.
won a main-track race that was rained off the turf here on Jan. 28. Distant Charm captured her debut going two turns at Bay Meadows on Feb. 13. Single Market rallied boldly to win a grass race here on Feb. 13.
Swift Wings ran well in a pair of downhill turf sprints earlier this meet, and her pedigree is indicative of a horse who will do better with more distance. She also drew the advantageous rail.
Race 7, an optional claimer for California-breds going 1 1/16 miles, features Avenue-ofknowledge, who won the GSN Network's "American Dream Derby" finale on Feb. 21 by four lengths. He is now owned by Deanna Manfredi, who won Avenueofknowledge, a stable of runners, and $250,000 for winning "American Dream Derby."