Sam's Sister at best distance in Santa Monica Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Sam’s Sister is proven in stakes at seven furlongs this winter, an accomplishment that swayed trainer Jerry Hollendorfer into choosing Monday’s $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita for her next start.

Hollendorfer entered Sam’s Sister in Saturday’s $200,000 La Canada Stakes for 4-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles but said that morning that the filly will run in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes over seven furlongs.

“We feel more confident running the seven furlongs,” Hollendorfer said. “We think she can stretch out, but we’ll wait for that.”

Sam’s Sister will be favored to win for the fifth time when she makes her sixth career start in the Santa Monica. Six months ago, Sam’s Sister had yet to start, but she has made a stellar rise since late summer, winning her first three starts and the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over seven furlongs here Dec. 26.

Sam’s Sister is part of a field of seven in the Santa Monica Stakes. She is one of three 2014 stakes winners in the field, along with Master the Blues, who won the Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar in August, and Harlington’s Rose, who won the Kalookan Queen Stakes on Dec. 28.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sam’s Sister (Last 3 Beyers: 87-77-87)

◗ Owned by Mark Dedomenico, George Todaro, and Hollendorfer, Sam’s Sister was beaten in an optional claimer over five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 21 but rebounded in the La Brea, closing from sixth in a field of nine to win by a half-length at 12-1.

◗ There was a rapid pace in the La Brea, which led jockey Elvis Trujillo to have Sam’s Sister farther behind than her typical style. Trujillo rides Sam’s Sister on Monday and is likely to have the filly within a few lengths of the lead.

Dancinthenightaway (Last 3 Beyers: 83-88-88)

◗ Unbeaten in three starts, Dancinthenightaway is likely to set the pace. Trained by Mark Glatt, Dancinthenightaway won an optional claimer over seven furlongs Dec. 27, leading throughout.

Glatt insists that Dancinthenightaway is versatile.

“I don’t think she has to have the lead,” he said. “She runs relaxed.”

◗ Jockey Rafael Bejarano was aboard Dancinthenightaway for her first three starts, but Tyler Baze has the mount Monday. Glatt declined to discuss the reason for the jockey switch Friday.

◗ Last Wednesday, Dancinthenightaway worked a half-mile in 46.60 seconds, the fastest of 90 recorded works at the distance.

Harlington’s Rose (Last 3 Beyers: 80-76-72)

◗ Harlington’s Rose ended a six-race losing streak with a 17-1 upset in the Kalookan Queen Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs Dec. 28. Harlington’s Rose closed from fifth in a field of eight to win by 1 1/4 lengths, recording her first stakes win.

◗ Trainer Steve Knapp expects further improvement in the Santa Monica, which will be Harlington’s Rose’s second start in a graded stakes.

“I think she’ll be a factor off her last race,” Knapp said. “When fillies get sharp, they’re really sharp. She deserves a chance now.”