Dreamologist favorite on turf or dirt

ARCADIA, Calif. - Rain is expected in Southern California this weekend.

The amount that falls will determine whether Sunday’s $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes is run on the hillside turf course or at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track. Friday, there was a strong possibility the race would be run on the main track.

Either way, the 4-year-old filly Dreamologist is at the top of leading contenders. Dreamologist has won 3 of 7 starts, with victories at this meeting on the hillside turf course and on the main track.

Dreamologist, trained by Richard Mandella for the Jamie Roth’s LNJ Foxwoods, is one of 11 fillies and mares entered in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas. The field includes the stakes winners Fanticola, La Berma, Minks Aprise, Miss Double d’Oro, My Year Is a Day, Off the Road, Smoove It, and Velvet Mesquite.

KEY CONTENDERS

Dreamologist, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 87-86-85

◗ Dreamologist was second as the 3-5 favorite to Miss Double d’Oro in the Arboretum Stakes on the hillside turf course on March 18. The half-length loss ended a two-race winning streak from earlier this year.

Mandella said Dreamologist “got run into coming over the dirt” in the Arboretum.

◗ Dreamologist will start on Sunday regardless of the surface. Mandella said that if the Las Cienegas is run on the main track, it may be an easier spot than the $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos on April 23.

“I think she might be a touch better on the dirt,” he said.

Fanticola, by Silent Name

Last 3 Beyers: 92-90-92

◗ Fanticola has not raced since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf here last September. She has won on the hillside turf course, and was third in the 2014 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes, which was scheduled for the hillside turf but moved to the main track.

“I would prefer to run on the turf,” trainer Phil D’Amato said.

◗ D’Amato said has not ruled out keeping her in the race if it is run on the main track, depending on the condition of the surface.

“If it were drying out, I’d do it,” he said.

Minks Aprise, by Northern Afleet

Last 3 Beyers: 87-65-81

◗ Minks Aprise won her first stakes in the Camilla Urso Stakes at six furlongs on the Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields on March 19. Last year, the 4-year-old filly won an optional claimer on the hillside turf course.

“For me, if it comes off the turf, I’d run on the main track,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.