My Fiona should like distance in Soviet Problem

CYPRESS, Calif. – After My Fiona won her first stakes in the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for sprinters at Del Mar in July, trainer Walther Solis already was looking to the autumn and longer races.

The opportunity arrives in Sunday’s $200,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies over a mile at Los Alamitos. My Fiona will be favored in a field of six on the strength of her most recent win in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies over seven furlongs Oct. 31 at Santa Anita on the undercard of the first day of the Breeders’ Cup races.

“I think we’re starting to see the true her,” Solis said. “I always thought that when she goes longer, she’ll be better.”

My Fiona is the only stakes winner in the Soviet Problem Stakes, the eighth race on a nine-race program. By Ghostzapper, My Fiona races for the partnership of Terry Lovingier, who bred the filly, and Tom Beckerle and Amanda Navarro.

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Key contenders

My Fiona (Last 3 Beyers: 80-79-73)

* My Fiona has not been worse than third in five starts, winning three races. She has earned $244,100. In all her starts, she has closed from off the pace with a rally that took her to the lead in the final furlong.

* The long stretch at Los Alamitos – more than a quarter-mile – should aid her style, Solis said.

“This is her home track,” said Solis. “I think going a mile will be her best. I got the four post in a field of six. I couldn’t be happier.”

Heat the Rocks (Last 3 Beyers: 71-70-60)

* Heat the Rocks was fourth and second in maiden races for California-breds at Santa Anita in the autumn meeting before a breakthrough performance Nov. 7 at Del Mar – a win by 7 3/4 lengths in a maiden race over 6 1/2 furlongs.

* Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Heat the Rocks is by top California stallion Unusual Heat. She has calmed with age in the last few months, according to Hollendorfer’s assistant, Dan Ward. He recalls Heat the Rocks was a handful in the paddock before her career debut at Santa Anita in late September.

“We couldn’t get the rider up,” he said. “It was a lot to see in the paddock for the first time. She’d just come down from Golden Gate Fields. She needed to settle down a little bit. She’s run better every time.”

* Heat the Rocks drew the rail in the Soviet Problem and likely will dispute the pace.

“She’s got the speed to get a good trip,” Ward said.

Princess Bertrando (Last 3 Beyers: 52-78-52)

* Princess Bertrando is the most experienced filly in the field with eight starts. Her form has been erratic in recent months, finishing fourth in an optional claimer at Santa Anita in early October, second in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at 42-1, and a well-beaten third in a four-runner optional claimer Nov. 22 at Del Mar as the even-money favorite.