Little Alexis looks to rebound in Sea Lily Handicap
Trainer Carlo Vaccarezza said he’s at a loss to explain the poor performance of his Grade 1-placed filly Little Alexis in her last start, a fourth-place finish as the 4-5 favorite in the Sunrise Stakes. So, he’s just going to put a line through the race and hope the “real” Little Alexis shows up when she faces virtually the same group in Saturday’s $60,000 Sea Lily Handicap at Gulfstream Park.
Little Alexis was beaten 8 1/2 lengths in the Sunrise, her second start since she suffered a serious reaction at the site of an injection on her neck administered the day before her ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
“I checked her out left and right, east to west, north and south and found nothing wrong after her last start,” said Vaccarezza. “She didn’t bleed, she had no mucus, no temperature, nothing. She was just flat as a pancake that day. I know she’s a better filly than that, so I’m going to just move forward and hope the real Alexis shows up on Saturday.”
Vaccarezza said he’s hopeful the Sea Lily will serve as a prep for Little Alexis for the Grade 2 Princess Rooney here July 5.
“If she runs well here, she’ll go to the Princess Rooney,” said Vaccarezza. “But she has to show me that she belongs.”
Celebrity Star turned in a career-best effort in the Sunrise, forcing the early pace before drawing away to a convincing 3 1/2-length victory over Best Behavior while making her stakes debut. Best Behavior did not show her best early foot after breaking from the rail and was unable to make up any ground on the winner, while clearly second-best, in the pair’s previous meeting.
Best Behavior is one of two horses entered by Marty Wolfson in the Sea Lily, along with Quiet Hour. Flutterby and extreme outsider Almost an Angel complete the field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Little Alexis (Last 3 Beyers: 69-86-74)
◗ She shipped to the Palm Meadows training center after her last start and worked a bullet half-mile in 48.80 seconds May 10. “She’s been doing phenomenal since her last race,” said Vaccarezza.
Celebrity Star (Last 3 Beyers: 89-63-75)
◗ She must not “bounce,” or regress, off her performance in the Sunrise four weeks ago when improving a whopping 26 Beyer points off her previous effort. She picks up four pounds off that race and must concede five pounds to Best Behavior off their previous meeting in the Sunrise.
Best Behavior (Last 3 Beyers: 81-72-66)
◗ She’s tailed off since earning a career-best Beyer of 91 in winning the Miami Shores Handicap in her 2015 debut but seems to be rounding back to her best form and likely will try to get the early jump on Celebrity Star in the rematch.