Horse of the Day for July 21

Del Mar - Race 7
5 1/2 Furlongs
California Breeders' Association Stakes
California bred 2-year-old fillies
Purse $125,000.

A. V. Flynn is bred for speed on both sides of her pedigree, and she absolutely dusted maiden claimers in her debut. She broke the track record at Pleasanton with her 55.92 clocking for 5 furlongs, and was flattered when two of the horses she bested returned to win by open lengths. High-percentage Northern California trainer Steven Miyadi doesn't ship many horses to Del Mar so he must be pretty high on this filly. A. V. Flynn draws inside her main pace rivals, and should be prominent from the opening bell.

Ces't Mark ran well in both lifetime starts, and she was a much the best winner of a Cal-bred maiden special weight on June 4. She has good gate speed, but hot-riding Martin Garcia may opt to sit just off A. V. Flynn in the hope of turning up the pressure on the turn. Ces't Mark earned a big Beyer for her Hollywood victory, and the recent 59.80 workout allays fears of a bounce.

Sharoana is not only the lone stakes-winner of the field, but she's the sole filly in the race with multiple victories. She draws outside the other speeds, however, and may be forced wide going into the turn. Trainer Jeff Bonde has won this race the last two years, and Sharoana must be respected despite her outside post.