Hollendorfer sees bright future for 'Heavenly'

ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has bigger plans for Heavenly Humor than Sunday's $50,000-added Albany Handicap at Golden Gate Fields, a six-furlong stakes race for fillies and mares. A 4-year-old, Heavenly Humor is by Distorted Humor, who is the sire of dual Classic winner Funny Cide and three Breeders' Cup prospects this year: Original Spin (Juvenile Fillies), Fourty Niners Son (Turf), and Flower Alley (Classic).

"If we could get her a graded placing or win, she'll become a very valuable broodmare prospect," Hollendorfer said. "That's in our future plans."

For now, Hollendorfer's focus for Heavenly Humor is the Albany.

Given a three-month break following a seventh-place finish in the Grade 2 A Gleam Handicap in July, Heavenly Humor returned to the races Oct. 10 and scored a five-length victory in an $80,000 optional claimer. She dueled with the sharp Vaca City Flyer early, put her away, and pulled away from the field, finishing the six furlongs in 1:09.12.

"She came back good," said Hollendorfer.

should have just as easy a time here. Her primary opposition figures to be Yerevan Star, who in four starts at Golden Gate Fields has two wins, including the Camila Urso in May, a second, and a third. In April, Yerevan Star was third, beaten a half-length by Heavenly Humor, in the Woodside at Bay Meadows.

has the speed to battle Argentinisima early and has the advantage of an outside draw. The pace duel should set things up perfectly for Heavenly Humor, who in February was fast enough wire the six-furlong Soviet Problem at Bay Meadows.

, who was never a factor in the CERF Handicap at Del Mar in her last start, rounds out the field. She has $199,550 in earnings, only $355 less than Heavenly Humor.

Also in the field is Heavenly Humor's stablemate Thrilling Victory, who finished third in Heavenly Humor's comeback race, losing a photo for second to Marla Bay.

Heavenly Humor has four stakes victories and was second in the $107,000 Winning Colors at Churchill Downs this spring. She was beaten 2 1/4 lengths in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff after encountering traffic problems in the lane.

Hollendorfer said Sunday's Albany may be Heavenly Humor's last sprint in a while.

"Right now, we're preparing the horse to go long. We'll run her short one more time," he said.

* Sunday's card also includes an interesting 2-year-old maiden sprint that marks the debut of Potrero Station, a $125,000 purchase by Lost in the Fog's owner, Harry Aleo. Thursday, Aleo saw his 2-year-old filly Victorina win despite nearly going through the temporary rail at the gap at the start of the race.