Paradise Woods on track for La Brea

Paradise Woods, third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita on Nov. 3, is progressing toward the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 in excellent form, trainer Richard Mandella said on Friday.

Mandella said he was encouraged by the way Paradise Woods worked a half-mile in 49 seconds at Santa Anita on Wednesday.

“She’s just good,” he said. “It’s the same thing we’ve seen all year. She came out of the race in good shape and there’s no reason not to try it.”

Wednesday’s workout was the first for Paradise Woods since the BC Distaff.

Owned by Marty and Pam Wygod and Steven Sarkowsky, Paradise Woods finished 3 1/2 lengths behind winner Forever Unbridled in the BC Distaff. The $300,000 La Brea Stakes is run at seven furlongs for 3-year-old fillies. Earlier this year, Paradise Woods won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks and the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita, races run at 1 1/16 miles.

:: Get extended Cyber Monday discounts on PPs, digital subscriptions, and more!