Queen Maxima gets another try before break in Mizdirection

ARCADIA, Calif. – Queen Maxima’s tenuous position as California’s top female turf sprinter gets tested Saturday in the $100,000 Mizdirection Stakes on the hillside course at Santa Anita.

Is she an odds-on cinch, or a vulnerable favorite?

Queen Maxima, whose affinity for the hill includes two Grade 3 wins, is the most accomplished Mizdirection entrant and the 4-5 program favorite. But spring has not gone to plan, and the mare’s enterprising campaign renders her vulnerable in her final start before a midseason break.

Fifteen days after a disappointing fourth in the Grade 3 Unbridled Sidney Stakes at Churchill Downs, Queen Maxima wheels back in the Mizdirection. Trainer Jeff Mullins believes she had an alibi in the Unbridled Sidney, a race she dominated last year.

“She never really got to run in Kentucky,” Mullins said. “She was bottled up the whole way and never really got a chance to run. She didn’t drink a sip of water when she got back to the barn.”

While the severity of her traffic trouble is open to interpretation, the trip was not smooth. Queen Maxima was rated midfield, blocked into the lane, then went evenly to miss by three lengths. It was the second straight race she faced unfavorable circumstances.

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In the Grade 3 Monrovia on April 1 at Santa Anita, Queen Maxima was sapped before she ran. At the gate, a track veterinarian told jockey Juan Hernandez he must return her to the bottom of the hill to be schooled over the dirt crossing. The mile round trip depleted her energy and she finished third at odds-on. Queen Maxima seeks redemption Saturday.

“I wanted to give her one last shot. She looks like she’s doing well,” Mullins said. “There’s not much for her at Del Mar, so after this race she may get a break.”

Hernandez is back on Queen Maxima, a 5-year-old who has won eight races and $662,060 from 15 starts.

While the favorite is on her way out, two 4-year-old fillies are on their way up – Spirited Boss and Amorita. Florida-based Spirited Boss upset the Monrovia, returned to Florida, then shipped back to California. Mike Smith is back on the Jose D’Angelo-trained closer, the 5-1 second choice.

The gamble is Monrovia runner-up Amorita, who hinted at promise last year by placing in a pair of stakes, including the Grade 3 Senorita on the hill. This year at 4, Amorita is a better filly for trainer Richard Mandella.

“She grew up, filled out nice, training good,” Mandella said. “She’s got good speed, but I don’t know that she has to be on the lead. I’ll leave it up to [jockey Antonio Fresu].”

Amorita is likely to be forwardly placed in the turf sprint, and Mandella is already considering a surface switch for the turf specialist who trains exceptionally well on the main track.

“She keeps working so good on the dirt, someday I’m going to try that,” Mandella said.

Amorita is listed 6-1 in the Mizdirection, a race she is qualified to upset.

Others in the field include Grade 3 winner Princesa Moche, consistent allowance mare Certitude, Marian Cross, Candy Bar, Rosie Jeeks, and Antifona.

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