Perfect Pic experiments by going two turns
ARCADIA, Calif. – Perfect Pic had a splashy start to her career at Del Mar last summer, winning a six-furlong maiden race by 10 1/4 lengths. She has not duplicated the performance in three subsequent starts, all in sprints, including a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes on Dec. 26.
Friday at Santa Anita, Perfect Pic’s career will take a slightly different direction – she makes her first start around two turns in a first-level optional $40,000 claimer for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.
“It’s what I’ve wanted to do all the time,” trainer Jim Cassidy said. “I’m hoping that will do the trick.”
Perfect Pic, owned by Deron Pearson, drew the outside post in a field of six.
Race 5
KEY CONTENDERS
Perfect Pic, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 73-90-80
◗ Perfect Pic was beaten 10 lengths by winner Constellation in the La Brea Stakes at seven furlongs. She was near the front for the first quarter-mile, but faded steadily through the stretch. The La Brea was her first start since a third in the Grade 3 L.A. Woman Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs here in October, when she was beaten a length by Gloryzapper.
◗ Perfect Pic has often raced near the front, and Cassidy expects a similar style on Friday. He said he would like Perfect Pic to have “a nice, easy lead.”
◗ There is not a confirmed front-runner among Perfect Pic’s five rivals, although Eileen’s Girl tends to race near the front.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Perfect Pic. Trainer Jim Cassidy is 44-7-5-5 with a $3.35 ROI over the past five years going sprint to route on dirt. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Lily, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 82-67-58
◗ Lily has not started since winning a maiden race for fillies and mares at a mile by 5 1/4 lengths at Los Alamitos last April.
The victory suggested Lily would have a bright season in 2016, but she was out of training by early summer. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Lily resumed workouts in early October and has had a steady pattern of workouts since late October.
“We think we have her ready enough to run,” Hollendorfer said.
◗ Track condition is a concern for Hollendorfer. There was rain in Southern California on Wednesday with more expected early Thursday. The race could be run on an off track, or at least one drying with residual moisture.
“It will depend on whether she will like the racetrack, but it won’t be fast,” Hollendorfer said.
◗ Mike Smith rode Lily in 2016, and has the mount on Friday.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Lily. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 27-2-4-2 with a $0.25 ROI over the past five years on dirt following a career-best Beyer Speed Figure and a layoff of 180 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
That’s a Lady, by City Zip
Last 3 Beyers: 86-72-82
◗ That’s a Lady was third in an optional claimer for fillies and mares at a mile here in October. She closed from fourth in a field of five to miss by a neck after a troubled start.
◗ Trained by John Sadler, That’s a Lady has had nine starts. She beat maidens in her sixth race, last May, and was fourth behind Songbird in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks here last June, her only appearance in a stakes.
