Long Hot Summer eyes Grade 1 start

The 2-year-old Long Hot Summer might jump into a graded stakes sooner than expected. After she won her first two starts at Del Mar, including the Generous Portion Stakes, trainer Phil D’Amato initially planned to wait for the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies for statebreds Oct. 31 at Santa Anita.

But Long Hot Summer worked an easy half-mile Monday at Santa Anita, and on Tuesday, D’Amato said the filly will be considered for the Grade 1 Chandelier on Sept. 27 at the Arcadia, Calif., track. The Chandelier is the local prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

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D’Amato said Wickerr Stakes winner Lil Bit O’Fun will put his three-race win streak on the line Sept. 26 in the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes; romping Del Mar Handicap winner Big John B will go in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship on Sept. 28 along with Bright Thought. Del Mar Derby winner Midnight Storm will be considered for the John Henry, with the Grade 2 Twilight Derby for 3-year-olds on Oct. 31 more likely.