Hollywood Park: Warren's Veneda sets sights on La Brea

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The rapidly improving Warren’s Veneda is set for the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes in late December at Santa Anita following her victory against older California-bred females in the Cat’s Cradle Handicap on Sunday.

The win was her fifth in 10 starts. She is 4 for 6 in races on dirt and synthetic surfaces and is 2 for 2 at Hollywood Park. She was a romping winner going a mile in a second-level allowance field in her only try at Santa Anita.

“She’s always had a lot of talent, but she was a little cantankerous early on and was her own worst enemy,” said Craig Lewis, who trains Warren’s Veneda, a daughter of the Unbridled stallion Affirmative, for her breeder, Benjamin Warren. “She used to run up on horses, get in trouble. She’s become a lot more professional.

“Her first win, she took up three times and still won,” Lewis said of a win against maidens here April 27. “Horses don’t do that. She’s a gifted filly – a big, beautiful filly. And I don’t think sprinting is her game.”

The La Brea is at seven furlongs, but the Grade 1 makes it attractive, said Lewis, who added that he’ll point her to longer races afterward.

“I think she’ll do better as the furlongs increase,” he said.