Music Magic should benefit from her last

ARCADIA, Calif. - Music Magic's first start in California last month was a gut-check of her ability. She ran second to Empressive Lady despite racing on the inside in close pursuit of a fast pace. She never got a breather. The experience could lead to a win in a $48,000 allowance race at seven furlongs in Thursday's sixth race at Santa Anita.

Thursday, the post-position draw seems to favor Music Magic. Trained by Paddy Gallagher for Ed and Sharon Hudon, Music Magic will break from post 5 in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies. Leading jockey Garrett Gomez has the mount.

"She's outside, and Garrett knows her," Gallagher said. "I think she's drawn well."

Music Magic has improved since her Feb. 11 race, Gallagher said. He was pleased with her five-furlong breeze in 1:01 on Sunday. "She broke off behind another horse, and moved up inside him," he said.

Racing at seven furlongs will be new for Music Magic. She made her debut at Keeneland last October, winning a six-furlong race against 11 rivals by 4 1/4 lengths. At the time, Music Magic was trained by Mike Stidham. She joined Gallagher's stable in December.

Thursday, Music Magic figures to be near the front, in pursuit of Gabby's Golden Gal, Life by RR, and Pinkarella.

Gabby's Golden Gal scored a sharp maiden win on Feb. 6, her first start since June. Gabby's Golden Gal disputed the early pace before pulling clear to win by two lengths.

Life by RR has drawn the outside post in her first start for trainer Bobby Frankel. Life by RR has one victory in three starts, and was fourth in an optional claimer here on Dec. 31.

Pinkarella has made two starts, with varying results. She won a maiden race for 2-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs by a convincing 5 1/4 lengths at Hollywood Park on Dec. 21, but she was last of eight when overmatched in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes here on Feb. 7. Pinkarella set the pace in the Las Virgenes before fading in the final sixteenth.

Cosmic Queen and Dave's Revenge have stakes experience.

Cosmic Queen, third behind Music Magic on Feb. 11, was third in the Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park last June.

Dave's Revenge was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last October and will be making her first start in a sprint in her sixth career race.