Pincelada's pedigree favors turf

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Pincelada is fast, and she finishes. Can she run on grass?

Trainer Jorge Periban has little doubt that Pincelada will handle a surface change Sunday at Hollywood Park in the six-furlong, $60,000 Manhattan Beach Stakes. A turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies, the Manhattan Beach will test her trainer's pedigree research.

"I'm moving to the turf because she has a pedigree for grass. Her momma won four races on grass," Periban said, referring to Flo's Z Fury, who won 4 of 15 on turf, including a stakes.

Pincelada, 2 for 3, faces a diverse field; all seven starters exit different races. Come Home Quick won a maiden turf sprint last out; Southern Fireball misfired in the Grade 3 Railbird but won a turf allowance one back; and Repo faced older last in her comeback last out. Five Silver Stars, Washington Bridge, and Got an Itch complete the field.

None is sharper than rapidly improving and lightly raced Pincelada. Runner-up in her March 7 debut, she won a maiden race April 3, and then scored a nose victory April 25 in a highly rated main-track allowance. The 89 Beyer Figure earned last out by Pincelada matches the Manhattan Beach par.

Though she is racing on turf for the first time, Pincelada practiced once over the course. She worked five furlongs on turf May 15, and Periban said "she handled it pretty good."

"She looks good at this moment," he said.

If she runs well Sunday, Periban will consider stretching out Pincelada, a daughter of Wildcat Heir. "I will try long somewhere down the road," he said. "She gallops out [strongly] in her works."

Victor Espinoza rides Pincelada for owner Mickey Gonzalez. Pincelada raced for trainer Salvador Mora last out while Periban was serving a seven-day suspension for a medication violation.

Southern Fireball will be among the favorites based on her allowance win one back on turf, and the tougher company she faced last time in the Railbird. Three of the last four Manhattan Beach winners dropped from the Railbird.