Miss Southern Miss to face small field in Sorrento Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Miss Southern Miss, second in the Landaluce Stakes at Santa Anita on July 9, is the leading contender in what is likely to be a small field for the $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies next Saturday.

The Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes is run at 6 1/2 furlongs and is a leading prep for the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs on Sept. 3. Only 10 were nominated for the Sorrento. Fillies such as Auntjenn, Back Off, Morganite, and Unforgivable U are other candidates.

Morganite won her debut here July 16 in a maiden race at five furlongs.

The Sorrento Stakes field will not include Theonewewaitedfor, the winner of the Landaluce Stakes. Trainer Mike Harrington said on Saturday that Theonewewaitedfor had “a hiccup” in training and is sidelined.

The $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf next Saturday will have a larger field.

Trainer Peter Miller said on Saturday that he may run Monster Bea, the winner of the Oceanside Stakes here on July 15, pending a workout this weekend. Other potential runners are Arcature, Burger and Fries, Ebadan, Imperious One, Liam the Charmer, Lucky Brian, Moonlight Drive, Mr. Roary, and Newsman.