Logan Avenue Linda looks like bargain claim

DEL MAR, Calif. - Logan Avenue Linda may have been a steal when she was claimed for $50,000 on July 29 by trainer Mike Mitchell on behalf of a partnership. She won that race by three lengths, the biggest win of her career on turf.

The win has prompted Mitchell to test Logan Avenue Linda in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar on Wednesday. The race carries a purse of $68,000.

"I think she deserves a chance at this," Mitchell said. "She's going to improve. Let's see how good she is."

A winner of 4 of 11 starts and $94,960, Logan Avenue Linda ended a five-racing losing streak in the recent claiming race, which was run at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Mitchell claimed her partially out of respect for her previous trainer, Rafael Becerra.

The day after Mitchell claimed Logan Avenue Linda, Becerra told Mitchell he had considered the 4-year-old filly for an allowance race.

"He claims off of me and I claim off of him," Mitchell said. "The next day we'll say whether you've made a good claim or a bad claim. She was pretty impressive when she won."

There is one constant for Logan Avenue Linda - jockey Corey Nakatani retains the mount.

"She could be the speed without even trying," Mitchell said. "I'll give no instructions to Corey since he's ridden her before. I tell him he looks good in those colors."

Logan Avenue Linda drew post 3 in a field of eight fillies and mares. Her main rivals are Andrea and Charming Legacy.

Andrea drew the rail and has an outstanding chance. Trained by Roger Stein for Ross McLeod, Andrea won her U.S. debut in an allowance race at Hollywood Park in May, but was beaten in two subsequent stakes, finishing second in the Grade 2 Beverly Hills Handicap on July 1 and fifth in the Grade 1 John Mabee Handicap on Aug. 4.

The well-bred Charming Legacy has won 2 of 8 starts and finished second 5 times. Owned by E Z Stable and trainer Ron McAnally's wife, Debbie, Charming Legacy won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on turf at Hollywood Park on June 24, and closed well to be beaten a nose here in an optional claimer at a mile on July 29.

Dancing Sky makes her California debut. A two-time winner in Ireland in 2005-06, she was 11th in the Grade 3 All Along Breeders' Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs in June.