Fantastic Style tries to pick up where she left off
ARCADIA, Calif. – Fantastic Style came into last summer’s Del Mar meeting in the best form of her career, but an injury sent her to the sidelines for the rest of the year. Freshened and with a series of fast works to her credit, she returns Sunday at Santa Anita in the Grade 3, $100,000 Las Flores Stakes for older female sprinters.
The Las Flores, at six furlongs, drew just six runners, the smallest field of the day, and was carded as race 3 on the nine-race card to keep it out of the pick six.
“She’s doing well, but this is a tough spot off a layoff,” said trainer Bob Baffert, who was hoping an upper-level allowance would go for Fantastic Style. Without that option coming to fruition, Fantastic Style has to go here.
Her rivals include Finest City, who earlier at this meet was second in the Grade 2 Santa Monica, and Sensitively, who returned from a five-month layoff to score a sharp victory against a first-level allowance field last time out.
Amaranth, who has not raced since November, is also entered in a race at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, so this field would be reduced to five if she is kept there.
KEY CONTENDERS
Fantastic Style, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 96-97-76
◗ After returning from a trip to Keeneland last spring, she rattled off fast victories in stakes at Santa Anita and Los Alamitos before heading to Del Mar.
“She hurt a hind muscle at Del Mar,” Baffert said. “We had to kick her out” to a layup facility.
◗ She has won three times in four starts at Santa Anita, her lone loss coming in her debut , when she broke from the rail in a 12-horse field and was collared late after setting fast fractions. Though she lost, the effort was good and shows she can fire fresh.
Finest City, by City Zip
Last 3 Beyers: 77-95-67
◗ She is tough to handicap, with wildly inconsistent form. Her Santa Monica was terrific, losing by a head with the fastest speed figure of her career, but she failed at a short price against lesser last time out.
Sensitively, by Street Sense
Last 3 Beyers: 96-77-69
◗ Her comeback victory was excellent, but last year she won her debut and then tailed off. The question is whether she can run back to her victory last month, but if she does, she will be formidable.
Ben’s Duchess, by Munnings
Last 3 Beyers: 40-80-100
◗ She was dreadful in the Santa Monica, but her two prior races would put her in the hunt.
◗ Her best races come when she gets a hot pace, sits back, and makes one run. With Finest City, Sensitively, and Fantastic Style all possessing speed and the inside three slots – and Cadet Roni also preferring to be forwardly placed – she very well might get the scenario she desires.