D's Lovely Sophia likely to stalk from outside post

CYPRESS, Calif. – D’s Lovely Sophia is well drawn to win for the third time in four starts in an allowance race with a $20,000 claiming option for California-bred fillies and mares in the sixth race at Los Alamitos on Saturday.

Trained by Hector Palma, D’s Lovely Sophia drew the outside post in a field of six, which should suit her stalking style. The race will be run at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Eswan Flores is booked to ride D’s Lovely Sophia, who is owned by Robert Riggio. Flores rode D’s Lovely Sophia to consecutive wins earlier this summer in a $30,000 claiming race for maidens at 5 1/2 furlongs here on June 29 in her debut and a starter allowance at six furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 7.

D’s Lovely Sophia was second as the 3-2 favorite in an optional claimer for statebred fillies and mares at Del Mar on Aug. 29 with Flores aboard.

Saturday’s field includes Violette Szabo, who was third in the Melair Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for statebred 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on June 23, but struggled at Del Mar. Violette Szabo was eased in the Fleet Treat Stakes on July 18 and was ninth of 10 in an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf on Aug. 30.

◗ The $75,000 Phone Chatter Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs was scheduled for Saturday but drew only three entrants. Track officials hoped to reschedule the race for Sunday.