Perfect Pic needs better trip in L.A. Woman Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Perfect Pic needs to win big this weekend to be considered for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint next month. But the only way Perfect Pic can win the Grade 3 L.A. Woman Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita is with a better trip than her last-start nightmare.

“How she ever finished second was amazing,” trainer Jim Cassidy said. “She’s supposed to finish fifth, sixth, seventh.”

He was not exaggerating. Perfect Pic was favored Sept. 17 at Los Alamitos, her second career start, after a stunning 10 1/4-length maiden blowout. In the allowance race, everything went wrong.

Perfect Pic broke slowly from the rail. She rushed and steadied into the turn. Santiago Gonzalez took her five wide, and she lost ground. She ducked to the inside in the lane, finished with run, lost by 1 1/4 lengths, and galloped out in front of the winner.

Cassidy was not happy. “I was pissed,” he said. “I’ve never been pissed at Santiago, but I was pissed that day.”

All is forgiven if Perfect Pic wins on Sunday. Her rivals in the 6 1/2-furlong, $100,000 L.A. Woman include second-level allowance winners Luminance and Gloryzapper as well as Wild At Heart, who defeated Perfect Pic last out.

“She’s got to be able to run with these,” Cassidy said. “She’s good, obviously. I just don’t know how good she is.”

Perfect Pic’s debut romp and troubled second start hint that she is very good. The 3-year-old filly is owned by Deron Pearson’s DP Racing. A big win Sunday would give Pearson a reason to take a shot in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint.

“He will,” Cassidy said. “He’s gambler, he loves it.”

L.A. WOMAN STAKES (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Perfect Pic, by Candy Ride
Last 2 Beyers: 80-94

◗ Perfect Pic also broke slowly in her debut. After the filly broke slowly again second time out, Cassidy contemplated extra gate schooling but worried that it might affect her mentally.

“I considered taking her up there [to the starting gate] one time and popping her,” Cassidy said. “Then I said, ‘I don’t want to make her crazy.’ ”

◗ Her career debut was delayed until August due to minor issues including shins, tibia, and feet.

Luminance, by Tale of the Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 97-87-81

◗ Her highly rated allowance win last out was validated when runner-up Bendable returned to win a stakes. Bob Baffert trains Luminance, whose rider is Rafael Bejarano.

Gloryzapper, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 89-94-90

◗ She was considered for the Grade 1 Spinster on Sunday at Keeneland, but trainer Phil D’Amato said, “I thought that might be a little too much.”

◗ Six starts on dirt produced three wins and three seconds; Gloryzapper will rally from off the pace under jockey Stewart Elliot.

Wild At Heart, by Indian Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 82-78-81

◗ In the money in all six starts for trainer Richard Mandella, Wild At Heart breaks from the inside post under Mike Smith. She rallied inside last time in defeating Perfect Pic.