Repo drops - into a stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. - Less than two weeks after her first stakes win, Repo will be after another stakes win in Friday's $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar.

The CTBA Stakes, run over 5 1/2 furlongs, is restricted to statebred fillies. For Repo, the race is a drop in class, considering she beat open company in the six-furlong Landaluce Stakes on July 12.

"We love the purse and the restricted part of the race," trainer Doug O'Neill said. "She bounced out of her last race in good shape."

Repo led throughout the Landaluce, winning by three-quarters of a length. She may not have the early lead in the CTBA Stakes.

O'Neill was content with her three-furlong workout in 36 seconds at Del Mar on Tuesday.

"She got over the track really well," he said.

Repo has won 2 of 3 starts and $106,170. She was second in the Cinderella Stakes at Hollywood Park on June 11 and is the only filly in Friday's race with stakes experience.

Four of her rivals beat maidens in their last start - Cruzin Topless, Puritan Baker, Taro, and Unbridled Meeting. La Nez was second in her only start, and the O'Neill-trained High Five Gal is making her debut on Friday.

Puritan Baker beat maidens over four furlongs at Golden Gate Fields on June 13. She was trained by Michael Lenzini at the time, and was transferred to O'Neill earlier this month. Taro won her debut in a maiden race for statebred fillies at Hollywood Park on June 25, pulling clear by 3 1/4 lengths.

Cruzin Topless won a five-furlong maiden race at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton on July 2 by 4 1/2 lengths. Unbridled Meeting beat statebred 2-year-old fillies in a five-furlong maiden race at Hollywood Park on June 4. She has been pointed for the CTBA Stakes since then, trainer Walther Solis said.

Unbridled Meeting drew the rail and has sufficient speed to lead. Solis said that she does not rely on the style.

"We don't need to rush her," Solis said. "I'm not concerned at all. I think we've got the quality of a horse to go for that race."