Laura's Light searching for her best form of last year

At this time last year, Laura’s Light was in peak form, two months removed from her first graded stakes win and a month away from her second.

Laura’s Light won three stakes during her 2020 campaign, which ended last August. There is hope the 4-year-old filly can return to that level of success this year, although she lost her first two starts of 2021 in turf races at Santa Anita – a fourth in an allowance race on March 12 and a fifth in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes on April 3.

Sunday at Santa Anita, Laura’s Light is part of a competitive field of six in an allowance for fillies and mares at a mile on turf, the leading race on a nine-race program.

Trained by Peter Miller for Gary Barber, Laura’s Light will be ridden by Abel Cedillo, who was aboard for her four stakes wins – one at the end of 2019 and three last year – and the filly’s two starts this year.

“She should run her best race, third off the layoff,” Miller said. “I think she needed the first couple. We’re hoping she’s progressed from 3 to 4.”

Laura’s Light was beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Charmaine’s Mia in the one-mile Royal Heroine, racing from a stalking position. Laura’s Light is quick enough to set the pace, but is equally effective as a stalker. She may need a patient trip to win on Sunday against speedy fillies such as Quiet Secretary and Trickled In.

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“She’s in a good spot,” Miller said. “We’re comfortable with her off the pace. If we get a flyer, we’re not afraid to take the lead. She’s naturally fast.”

Sunday’s race will be the second start of 2021 for Beguiled, who was fourth after a wide trip in a 6 1/2-furlong turf allowance race on March 6 in her first start since a seventh in her stakes debut in the Lady of Shamrock Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile last December.

“That was the ultimate plan – to try her short off the break, and gradually pick up her distance,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I was waiting for this condition, but it came up ultra-salty.”

Beguiled, likely to race as a stalker, won an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar last November.

She’s Our Charm will be a danger from a forward position, and could be a sentimental choice by Sunday afternoon. She’s Our Charm is a full brother to Rock Your World, a leading contender in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

Trained by Ron McAnally for his wife, Debbie, She’s Our Charm was fifth after racing in traffic in the stretch of an allowance race at a mile on turf on Feb. 12. In her first start of the winter-spring season, She’s Our Charm was third by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares on Dec. 27.

Ron McAnally said on Friday that a successful race by She’s Our Charm on Sunday could lead to a start in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita on May 31.

The McAnallys bred Rock Your World and She’s Our Charm.

Sherlock makes debut

Last August, a Stay Thirsty colt sold for $50,000 as the most expensive horse at the Northern California yearling sale in Pleasanton.

The colt will debut in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old California-breds at 4 1/2 furlongs in the second race at Santa Anita on Sunday, with high expectations and a poignant name.

The colt is named Sherlock, in honor of the late trainer Gary Sherlock, who was closely allied with owner and breeder Terry Lovingier. Bred by Lovingier, Sherlock the colt was listed as sold to Craig Warren at the Northern California sale, but is racing in a partnership for the two men. Sherlock is trained by an optimistic Walther Solis.

“I think he can win the race,” Solis said. “He’s a very quick colt.”

Gary Sherlock died in December 2019. He trained such notable runners as the stakes winners Intangaroo, Lost Bus, and Uncle Lino. Lost Bus was owned by Lovingier.

Sherlock has worked quickly for his debut and drew post 3 in a field of seven. Edwin Maldonado, well regarded for his ability away from the gate, has the mount.

Solis also starts Rock N Rye, a Stay Thirsty colt co-owned and bred by Lovingier who was listed as sold for $52,000 at the Fasig-Tipton California yearling sale last fall at Los Alamitos.

Rock N Rye drew the outside post and will be ridden by Tiago Pereira. Sherlock and Rock N Rye have worked in tandem this spring, Solis said.

“The other one on the outside, he’s been working almost even, but he wants to run a little bit longer,” Solis said. “Sherlock is pretty quick.”