Lost Bus prepping for Great Lady M. Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Lost Bus needs action.

A 4-year-old filly, Lost Bus has not started since winning the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes in a 64-1 upset Jan. 23. She starts in an optional claimer at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Friday that trainer Gary Sherlock envisions as a prep for the $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos on April 23.

“I’m ready to run her,” Sherlock said on Wednesday.

Sherlock considered running Lost Bus in the $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares on the hillside turf course March 19 or the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes at six furlongs March 20 before opting for Friday’s race.

“I’m not sure about the downhill,” Sherlock said. “The Las Flores is too short, and it’s a Grade 3.”

Owned by Terry Lovingier, Lost Bus was claimed for $32,000 last November. The win in the Santa Monica alone was worth $120,000.

The optional claimer drew a field of six, including Dancinthenightaway, a three-time winner. Dancinthenightaway was second in an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar in November in her first start in 10 months and was last of eight in the Kalookan Queen Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs Dec. 30. She could not keep pace with race winner Sunday Rules and faded from contention.

Trainer Mark Glatt said Dancinthenightaway’s speed might be an asset Friday.

“She’ll be forwardly placed,” he said.