Proposed appears too good for rivals in B. Thoughtful

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - After finishing in the top three in eight consecutive races from July to February, threw in a clunker when she finished fourth in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita last month.

Sent off as the favorite, Proposed was beaten 7 1/4 lengths by winner Healthy Addiction on a wet-fast track.

"I attribute that to the surface and not to her," trainer John Shirreffs said.

Fortunately for Proposed, there is no rain forecast at Hollywood Park on Sunday, the day of the $150,000 B. Thoughtful Handicap.

The winner of the Grade 2 El Encino Stakes in February, Proposed will be a heavy favorite to win her second stakes in the B. Thoughtful, run over seven furlongs for California-bred fillies and mares.

Even though she has excelled in longer races in recent starts, Proposed can be effective at shorter distances. Last summer at Del Mar, she won twice at six furlongs.

"She's got tactical speed and we can be close," Shirreffs said.

The drop from the graded stakes level is only temporary for Proposed, who is owned by breeders Marty and Pam Wygod. Proposed is expected to run in graded stakes later at this meeting.

In the B. Thoughtful, Proposed has five rivals, with the biggest threats being Somethinaboutlaura and Vikki's Honor.

The B. Thoughtful is the seventh consecutive stakes appearance for Somethinaboutlaura, who won two stakes at Bay Meadows in September and February. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Somethinaboutlaura finished third behind Proposed in the El Encino.

In her last start, Somethinabout-laura finished second in the Work the Crowd Handicap at Golden Gate Fields on April 1.

Somethinaboutlaura can be near the front, but could lose the early lead to Vikki's Honor, who is seeking her first stakes win. Trained by Adam Kitchingman, Vikki's Honor has won her last two starts - an allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on March 29 and an optional claimer at six furlongs at Golden Gate Fields on April 12.

"I actually think seven furlongs is the perfect distance for her," Kitchingman said. 'She's ratable and can sit off the pace. She kind of grinds away. It won't bother me if the pace is slow. There is no reason she can't go wire to wire."

The recent wins have given Kitchingman confidence in Vikki's Honor.

"She's definitely doing her best right now," he said. "If she runs in the top three, I'll be tickled pink."