My Sweet Addiction goes with Plan B in Santa Monica Stakes

My Sweet Addiction was entered in the $75,000 Paseana Stakes over a mile last Sunday until trainer Marty Jones took a look at the Santa Anita main track early in the day.

“It looked pretty ugly out there,” he said.

Overnight rain left the main track wet-fast that day and led Jones to scratch My Sweet Addiction. Jones had a backup plan with Monday’s $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes for fillies and mares over seven furlongs.

Owned by breeder Pamela Ziebarth, the 5-year-old My Sweet Addiction has won 2 of 6 starts. She was third in the Desert Stormer Stakes over six furlongs at Santa Anita as the 3-5 favorite in June, lugging out badly on the turn. She since has finished third and second in optional claimers at Los Alamitos and Santa Anita.

The Grade 2 Santa Monica will be My Sweet Addiction’s first start since Oct. 13.

“I think she’s ready,” Jones said Friday. “She’s had a little time between races, and she’s been going all year. I don’t have that as an excuse.”

Jones said the Santa Monica could lead to races around two turns, possibly the $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes over 1 1/16 miles Feb. 16.

“I’d like to try her long,” he said. “She’s had some trouble on the turn, and that’s a problem, but she’s getting better.”

The candidates for the Santa Monica are led by Sam’s Sister, the winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Dec. 26. Sam’s Sister also was entered for Saturday’s La Canada Stakes for 4-year-old fillies. On Friday, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he has not decided on a race for Sam’s Sister.

Other expected starters in the Santa Monica are Dancinthenightaway, Harlington’s Rose, Lexington Pearl, and Sweet Marini.

Following Monday’s program, there is no live racing at Santa Anita until Friday.