Fleetheart hopes speed holds

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Unbeaten in three starts, Fleetheart will try something new on Wednesday, racing for the first time around two turns in a $55,000 allowance race at Hollywood Park.

To preserve her winning streak, Fleetheart must run better than her last race, a half-length win on May 9, according to trainer Vladimir Cerin.

"She looked like she was never comfortable in the race," he said. "I think she's better than her last race."

Cerin wonders if Fleetheart was at a disadvantage that day, leading throughout six furlongs. He credited jockey Martin Garcia with coaxing a winning effort from the 4-year-old filly.

"I think she only fired because she likes him so much," Cerin said of Garcia.

Fleetheart may be in the same predicament on Wednesday, as the lone front-runner in the race. A pacesetting strategy was effective on Sunday's card, but sometimes the racetrack can be tiring for front-runners on Wednesdays, after undergoing maintenance on Tuesdays.

Fleetheart starts from the rail in a 1 1/16-mile race that has drawn a field of five fillies and mares.

"She's bred to go two turns," Cerin said. "She probably looks as good as she's looked."

Fleetheart beat maiden claimers last fall and won a starter allowance at Santa Anita in February before her recent win. Cerin said the May 9 race was the first time she didn't get sick after a race.

Wednesday's race could lead to a stakes appearance at Del Mar "if she comes out of it in good shape," he said. "Hopefully, she'll do well and we'll have that thought to ponder."

Fleetheart must hold off Tremendous One, who won her California debut by 3 1/2 lengths in an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on May 30. Trained by Paddy Gallagher, Tremendous One was making her first start since finishing eighth in the Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park last October.

Fun Logic won an allowance race over this course and distance on Mayo4. Trained by Bill Currin, Fun Logic has a 2-year-old half-brother, Youarefun, who starts in a maiden special weight for statebreds in Wednesday's third race.

I Can See finished fourth in an allowance race at a mile on turf in June. Her last win came against $62,500 claimers on April 14.

Silk Kerchief was sixth in the Pro or Con Handicap at Santa Anita in April, her last start.