Her Emmynency fitter for Santa Ana Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Her Emmynency was in need of a start when she finished fourth as the 3-1 favorite in the $202,070 Buena Vista Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Feb. 20. The outlook is much brighter for her appearance in Saturday’s $200,000 Santa Ana Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“She got a lot out of that,” trainer Kristin Mulhall said of the Buena Vista on Thursday. “She was probably three-quarters fit that day. She’s doing much better.”

Mulhall warned before the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes that Her Emmynency was in need of a start in that race. For Saturday’s Grade 2 Santa Ana, Her Emmynency is likely to be favored in a field of six.

A 4-year-old filly, Her Emmynency is the only Grade 1 winner in the Santa Ana Stakes, a milestone she achieved with a win in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland last October. That was her final start for trainer Mike Stidham. Her Emmynency joined Mulhall’s stable in late 2015.

KEY CONTENDERS

Her Emmynency, by Successful Appeal

Last 3 Beyers: 91-98-94

◗ Her Emmynency has won 4 of 8 starts and earned $552,250 for owners Ike and Dawn Thrash. In the Buena Vista, Her Emmynency was within a half-length of the lead with a quarter-mile remaining but could not sustain the rally.

◗ Joe Talamo was aboard for the Buena Vista and has the mount Saturday. Mulhall envisions Her Emmynency racing as a stalker behind Glory, who was third in the Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes here on turf in December.

“I think Glory is the speed of the race, and hopefully we can sit right off of her and make a move,” Mulhall said.

Nancy From Nairobi, by Sixties Icon

Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-81

◗ Nancy From Nairobi will have her graded stakes debut in her 22nd start in the Santa Ana. Trained by John Sadler for Pete and Kosta Hronis, Nancy From Nairobi was a two-time winner in Europe before joining Sadler’s stable last fall.

◗ Nancy From Nairobi will receive strong support in the Santa Ana based on consecutive wins in optional-claiming races here Feb. 5 and March 4. In the latter race, Nancy from Nairobi rallied from sixth of seven to win by a convincing 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Abel Lezcano, who has the mount Saturday. “It was a very impressive win,” Sadler said. “My filly is doing great. I think this race should be in her [distance] range.”

Tuttipaesi, by Clodivil

Last 3 Beyers: 95-98-88

◗ Tuttipaesi will have her California debut in the Santa Ana, having won three stakes for Graham Motion and Bill Mott since arriving from England in late 2012. A 6-year-old, Tuttipaesi was third in the Grade 3 Marshua’s River Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 9 in her most recent start.