Intriguing pair of maidens clash Saturday

DEL MAR, Calif. – Several promising 2-year-old fillies, including Princess Julia, a first-time starter, and Sabi Sands, who ran in a key race during the summer meet at Del Mar, are set to battle in race 3 going six furlongs here on Saturday.

Princess Julia, a daughter of Distorted Humor, was touted before the summer meet as one of trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s most-promising prospects. But from July 15 until Sept. 18, she worked just once, and missed the Del Mar summer meet.

“She had a little this and a little that,” Hollendorfer said Thursday morning. “She’s ready to go now.”

Princess Julia was purchased as a yearling for $400,000 by the Stonestreet Stables of Barbara Banke. She was sent to Hollendorfer earlier this year. She is out of the mare Folklore, who won the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and that year’s Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly.

Sabi Sands finished fourth in her lone start on Aug. 14 in what has proven to be one of the strongest races of the summer. The first three finishers – American Gal, Partyinthepaddock, and Fact of Life – each came back to win her next start.

Sabi Sands, trained by Keith Desormeaux for the Roth family’s LNJ Foxwoods, is a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid who was purchased as a yearling for $450,000.

Trainers Doug O’Neill and Simon Callaghan each has two entrants in the race.

O’Neill sends out Mopotism, a daughter of Uncle Mo who was fifth in her debut at Del Mar, and Go On Mary, a Broken Vow filly who was fourth and then third in her two races.

Callaghan has a pair of first-time starters in Classy Tune, who is by Maclean’s Music, and Sly Humor, who is by Into Mischief.

Paul Reddam owns both Mopotism and Sly Humor.

◗ Stakes winner Firing Line, preparing for a return to action, worked a half-mile in 49.40 seconds on Thursday morning at Santa Anita for trainer Simon Callaghan.

◗ There is a post-race concert on Saturday at Del Mar with Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals.

◗ The popular Daybreak at Del Mar, which offers fans breakfast in the Clubhouse Terrace restaurant while they watch horses train, is available every Saturday during the fall meeting from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

◗ Free general admission and programs and discounted drinks are offered every Sunday during the Del Mar meet.