Hollywood Park: Rumor, Teddy's Promise clash again in Playa del Rey

INGLEWOOD, Calif. –There are not many starts remaining in the careers of the multiple stakes winners Rumor and Teddy’s Promise.

The 5-year-old mares are scheduled to be bred to top stallions in Kentucky in early 2014, allowing for a few more starts before retirement. They are scheduled to meet for the sixth time in Sunday’s $100,000 Playa del Rey Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Sunday’s race over six furlongs is a prelude to the $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 25, which could be the final start for Rumor and Teddy’s Promise. Both are seeking to rebound from recent losses.

Rumor, a four-time stakes winner, was fourth in the Grade 2 A Gleam Handicap on July 13, her most recent start.

Trainer Richard Mandella said Rumor has thrived following her layoff and has maintained weight. In the past, Mandella said keeping weight on Rumor has been difficult.

“She’s had a nice little rest,” he said. “She has a little more weight than usual.”

Rumor has won 6 of 16 starts and earned $406,391. She won the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on March 10, her only graded stakes win. Teddy’s Promise was second in the Las Flores, but was second ahead of Rumor in the A Gleam in July.

In five meetings between Rumor and Teddy’s Promise, Teddy’s Promise has finished in front of Rumor three times.

Teddy’s Promise has won 10 of 27 starts and $822,397. She won the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita in 2011, her most prestigious win.

Teddy’s Promise won the 2012 Kalookan Queen Handicap as a prep to a victory in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes last January. Teddy’s Promise was eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 2 after fighting for the lead through the first half-mile.

“She was pressured the whole way,” Ellis said.

Teddy’s Promise won the LA Woman Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Oct. 8.

Ellis considered skipping the Playa del Rey for the Kalookan Queen on Dec. 28 with Teddy’s Promise, but said Friday morning that she would start.

Teddy’s Promise drew post 2 in a field of eight fillies and mares in the Playa del Rey Stakes. Ellis wanted a post on the outside of the field.

“We drew the inside, which is not her favorite spot,” Ellis said.

The other 2013 stakes winners in the Playa del Rey field are Judy In Disguise and Sky High Gal.

Judy In Disguise won the Sweet Life Stakes on turf at Santa Anita in April. The Playa del Rey Stakes will be her first start on a synthetic track since a third in the Grade 2 Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland in April.

Sky High Gal won the Blue Norther Stakes on turf at Santa Anita in January and was fourth in the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes on turf there Nov. 2.