Lots to like about Larry's Love in City of Anderson

Using the fundamentals of form, speed, and pace, many bettors will come to the conclusion that Larry's Love is the logical choice in the $45,000 City of Anderson at Hoosier Park on Saturday night, and they might be right.

A little pedigree research suggests, however, there are several among the field of seven Indiana-bred 2-year-old fillies with the inherent credentials to contend in the 5 1/2-furlong stakes.

Larry's Love is no slouch from a pedigree perspective, being a half-sister to Grade 3 winner My Creed, and her 13 3/4-length maiden win at Hoosier in late September over the front-running Miss Susan B surely made a lasting impression on those who witnessed it.

The pace Saturday night figures to help Larry's Love, with Miss Susan B expected to go toe to toe early with Order a Moonshine, a full sister to the 2006 City of Anderson runner-up, Tawny Two Swan.

Another who should appreciate a contested pace is Autumn Ivy, who did not win her maiden as convincingly as did Larry's Love, but won comfortably nonetheless, by more than three lengths. Autumn Ivy is out of the mare Amanda's Crown, who finished second in the 2001 City of Anderson and later won three stakes.

Lil Mai Tai, who defeated $30,000 maiden claimers at Ellis in her first start without blinkers, looks as solid as any in the City of Anderson field, though she will need to overcome a layoff of nearly two months with just one published work since her maiden victory.- Vance Hanson