Lhiz looks the wild card

PLEASANTON, Calif. - The quality of Neil Drysdale's stable is such that he doesn't start many horses on the northern California fair circuit. But on Saturday he will send Lhiz to the Alameda County Fair for her U.S. debut in the $50,000 Alameda County Fillies and Mares Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.

A Chilean-bred 5-year-old mare, Lhiz won a pair of Group 1 stakes in her native land, where she had 4 wins and 3 seconds in 10 starts.

Her recent works indicate she should be in shape, but she has not run since Feb. 3, 2002, and has never raced on the dirt. She seemingly lacks the condition for a race in Southern California and is undoubtedly being sent north for a prep race against lesser competition.

Meguial, a stakes winner in her native Argentina, also comes north after finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Vanity Handicap.

While the Southern California shippers come in with good credentials, trainer Chuck Jenda has a pair to be reckoned with in the race. A B Noodle was northern California's top 3-year-old filly last year, and Planoncometbebopin was a stakes winner over this track two years ago.

A B Noodle won three turf stakes at Bay Meadows last year and wound up her 3-year-old campaign with a second to Halo Tyra on the dirt.

She returned from a seven-month layoff in the six-furlong Sunnyvale Handicap at Bay Meadows on May 31. She showed brief speed that day before dropping back in a race won by Lacie Girl.

Jenda is hoping the race helped prepare her for Saturday's stakes race. She has three decent works since, including a pair at seven furlongs.

"I think she'll benefit from that race," Jenda said. "She's doing well."

A B Noodle likes the lead, and she should get it fairly easily here. She is the one to beat

Stonebridge Lady, who drew the outside post 8, comes off a wire-to-wire victory in a Hollywood Park allowance race but doesn't seem to have the early speed to match A B Noodle. Lhiz's lack of known running style makes her a wild card in any pace analysis.

The Thoroughbred stakes is one of four on the Saturday card. Earlier, there will be Arabian, Appaloosa, and Quarter Horse stakes races.