Hollywood Park: With stars absent, Royal Heroine there for the taking

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Three of the best female grass runners on the West Coast were among the nominations to the $150,000 Royal Heroine Mile, the supporting feature to the Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park, but owing to various reasons, none will run, nor will the highly regarded Tiz Flirtatious, which provides a terrific opening for those who do run to pick up a Grade 2 win.

Tiz Flirtatious, most recently second in the Grade 1 Gamely to Marketing Mix, wasn’t even nominated to the race. Trainer Marty Jones said he didn’t want to be tempted, believing Tiz Flirtatious prefers plenty of time between races. Instead, Jones said, Tiz Flirtatious will await the Grade 2, $250,000 John Mabee Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 11.

“I want to let her get back on her feet from that last race,” Jones said.

Marketing Mix was nominated to the Royal Heroine, but trainer Tom Proctor does not want to shorten her up to a mile following a victory at 1 1/8 miles, and will instead run her against males closing day here, July 14, in the Grade 3, $100,000 Sunset Handicap.

“I want to run there, then go to the Beverly D.,” Proctor said, referring to the prestigious Grade 1 race run at Arlington on Aug. 17. “I could take her back to Arlington for the Modesty, but then I’d have to bring her back here. I don’t want to ship there and back twice.”

Other prominent nominees passing the Royal Heroine are Mizdirection, who has not worked since finishing fifth in the Just a Game at Belmont on June 8, and Halo Dolly, who finished fourth in the Gamely and subsequently suffered a minor injury to a hind foot, according to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who said the Mabee was the next logical spot.

Who’s left? A field that includes Egg Drop, I Dazzle, Quiet Oasis, Schiaparelli, and Top Kisser, with My Gi Gi possible. Schiaparelli, like Mizdirection trained by Mike Puype, would be making her first start around two turns. She is 4 for 7 in turf sprints, including a victory in the Great Lady M on May 26.

Sunday’s $70,000-added Le Cle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going one mile on turf is expected to lure Judy in Disguise, Macha, Need You Now, Redressthebalance, Travesura, and possibly Broken Sword and Kyriaki