Mike Smith to partner Enola Gray in La Brea

ARCADIA, Calif. – The pacesetter for the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes has a new rider and the local turf division has a promising new shooter who will make his California debut in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile. Both races are Dec. 26, opening day at Santa Anita.

Mike Smith is the new rider for Enola Gray, the California-bred filly expected to set the pace in the seven-furlong La Brea. Trainer Phil D’Amato confirmed the change Monday morning at Santa Anita, where Enola Gray worked five furlongs in 1:00.

Enola Gray finished second last out as the 1-10 favorite in a seven-furlong California-bred stakes at Del Mar after setting a slow half-mile in 46.17 seconds under Tyler Baze. Enola Gray runs best with a more aggressive strategy.

“She just needs to go,” D’Amato said. “She needs to be sent out of there. She’s not the kind of filly that is going to out-kick you.”

Enola Gray worked five furlongs in 1:00 Monday at Santa Anita. “She loves it here at Santa Anita; she gets over it so nicely,” D’Amato said.

Enola Gray is one of six confirmed starters for the La Brea, including Finley’sluckycharm, Lightstream, Chao Chom, Constellation, and Perfect Pic.

The local turf division will get a boost when Conquest Enforcer makes his first start for D’Amato in the Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds. He was purchased for $785,000 at the Conquest Stable dispersal by Ron Paolucci’s Loooch Racing Stable and will be among the favorites in the Mathis Brothers.

“Hopefully he’s my next Obviously,” D’Amato said. “He shows that kind of talent.”

Conquest Enforcer, who won four races and $360,640 in seven starts for his previous trainer Mark Casse, worked six furlongs Monday. Clockers credited him with a five-furlong work in 59 seconds, fastest of the day.

“He did it the right way,” D’Amato said. “He did it like a good horse should.”

Flavien Prat will rider Conquest Enforcer, whose rivals in the Mathis are expected to include Blackjackcat, Isotherm, and Tusk.

As for Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Obviously, he will stretch back to a mile later in the meet. His first major objective is the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on March 11.

In addition to the La Brea and Mathis Brothers Mile, the Dec. 26 opening-day card at Santa Anita includes the Grade 1, seven-furlong Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds and Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes on the downhill turf course.