Laura's Light turns back to a sprint in Sweet Life Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Laura’s Light ended 2019 with excellent results in one-mile turf races. She finished second to Alms in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar in November in her stakes debut and won the Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita in December.

For her first start of 2020, Laura’s Light will be favored to win Sunday’s Grade 3 Sweet Life Stakes on turf for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. The race is run at 5 1/2 furlongs, a new distance for Laura’s Light, but one that does not worry trainer Peter Miller.

“We feel like she can do a little bit of everything,” Miller said. “She’s got good tactical speed.”

Laura’s Light has won 2 of 3 starts and earned $87,320. She was bought privately by current owner Gary Barber after winning a maiden special weight race at six furlongs on the synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields on Nov. 2.

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In that race, Laura’s Light closed from third of seven to take the lead in early stretch. In her two starts in turf stakes, she has set the pace. Alms, who won the Durante by 2 3/4 lengths, returned to win the Shantel Lanerie Memorial at Fair Grounds on Feb. 8.

The $100,000 Sweet Life Stakes drew a field of eight, but is unlikely to have that many starters. Trainer John Sadler said on Friday he plans to withdraw Shines Her Light in favor of the $75,000 China Doll Stakes at a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies on March 7.

Miller expects jockey Abel Cedillo to have Laura’s Light in a stalking position behind expected pacesetter Florentine Diamond, who makes a quick turnaround following a third-place finish in an allowance race with a $50,000 claiming option for California-breds at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf on Feb. 7.

“She broke her maiden from off the pace and she’ll be off the pace Sunday,” Miller said. “There are a few fillies with speed. We’ve got a good post.”

Laura’s Light is the only stakes winner in the Sweet Life Stakes. Three other fillies have been second or third in stakes. Blue Sky Baby was third in the Blue Norther Stakes. Orquidias Biz was second in the Desi Arnaz Stakes on dirt at Del Mar in November. Spitefulness was second in the Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes on the synthetic track at Arlington Park in September.

Blue Sky Baby was beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Laura’s Light in the Blue Norther, stalking that rival before fading in the final furlong. Blue Sky Baby was later fourth in an optional claimer at a mile on turf on Jan. 31.

“Maybe a mile might be a little too far for her at this time of year,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I think she should be very versatile. She can stalk and pounce.”