Just a Smidge, searching for winning form, drops in class

Just a Smidge looked like a potential superstar when she won a maiden race in her debut at Del Mar in July. Three months later, Just a Smidge is a source of confusion following losses in consecutive Grade 1 races.

“She works like a Grade 1 filly, but her last two races have been so disappointing,” trainer Bob Baffert said.

Baffert is essentially starting over Sunday at Santa Anita with Just a Smidge, who will start in the $70,000 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs. The drop in class may revive the filly’s fortunes after a fifth, beaten eight lengths, as the 9-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs Sept. 2, and a fifth, beaten 33 3/4 lengths, in the Grade 1 Chandelier Sakes at 1 1/16 miles here Sept. 30.

“We’ll see what happens,” Baffert said. “I think she wants to go long.”

Just a Smidge has the most experience of the five fillies in the Anoakia. The other four entrants – Artistic Diva, Chatty, Secret Spice, and Steph Being Steph – all won maiden races in sprints in their last starts and have no stakes experience.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Just a Smidge, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 33-66-80

◗ Purchased for $425,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale of 2-year-olds in training in May, Just a Smidge races for Debbie Lanni. Just a Smidge wore blinkers for her first three starts, but will race without them Sunday.

◗ Drayden Van Dyke will ride Just a Smidge for the first time. Just a Smidge has speed, but is likely to be in pursuit of Chatty and Secret Space, who led throughout their recent wins.

Chatty, by Exchange Rate
Beyers: 77-79

◗ Chatty was a game second in her debut Aug. 12 at Del Mar, despite veering to the outside at the start. In her second start, Chatty won a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs by five lengths Sept. 16 at Los Alamitos, leading throughout.

◗ Chatty drew the rail, which will force her toward the front early, according to trainer Michael McCarthy.

“We’ll have to use a little bit of speed to get a nice position,” McCarthy said.

◗ Chatty, purchased for $95,000 at the Barretts March Sale of 2-year-olds in training, left McCarthy impressed with her recent win.

“It’s what you like to see,” he said. “She’s trained well in the interim.”

Artistic Diva, by Munnings
Beyer: 66

◗ Artistic Diva is the only runner who has never raced on dirt. She won a five-furlong maiden race on turf by 1 1/2 lengths as the 9-10 favorite Aug. 24 at Del Mar, disputing the pace throughout after a slow start.

◗ Trainer John Sadler expects Artistic Diva to be part of the pace.

“She trains pretty good on dirt,” he said. “It’s a good spot, and I want to develop her a little bit.

“She has natural speed. She’ll be close.”