San Clemente conditions hit Laura's Light right between the eyes

Given that both fillies won stakes races under less-than-ideal circumstances last out, Laura’s Light and Warren’s Showtime should be tough returning to their preferred distance and footing Saturday at Del Mar.

At one mile on turf, the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes for 3-year-old fillies is ideal for Laura’s Light, a three-time stakes winner who won a Grade 3 last out at 1 1/8 miles despite trainer Peter Miller’s concession that “a mile is a better distance for her.”

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Warren’s Showtime also welcomes a change, specifically footing. After winning three stakes on turf, she won a dirt route stakes last out despite losing ground start to finish.

“I really don’t think the dirt compromises her,” trainer Craig Lewis said. “She’s such a good filly, she can do anything.”

Laura’s Light and Warren’s Showtime are one-two favorites in a field of 11 that entered the $150,000 San Clemente, the ninth race Saturday on a program that includes the California debut of Maximum Security in the San Diego Handicap, race 10.

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Peter Miller trains Laura’s Light and She’s So Special. The former is proven at a route, but She’s So Special seems best at one turn. At one mile, the San Clemente is a stretch.

“We feel like maybe she’s matured, and maybe she’ll get the mile,” Miller said.

She’s So Special won a turf sprint stakes last out against colts and geldings, and Miller will use the San Clemente as a means to an end.

She’s So Special may target the Music City, a $400,000 stakes race at 6 1/2 furlongs later this summer at Kentucky Downs.

“We felt like it was probably easier to cut back from a mile to the six and half, as opposed to go from the five-eighths to six and a half,” Miller said.

She’s So Special entered a turf sprint stakes last weekend when racing was canceled and was diverted to the San Clemente. Flavien Prat rides She’s So Special, who might be compromised Saturday by distance.

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Of course, the same was said about Laura’s Light when she stretched to nine furlongs under Abel Cedillo in the Grade 3 Honeymoon Stakes on May 30.

“Abel rode a tremendous race,” Miller said. Laura’s Light “rated well, and kicked home. She’s fast – she’s very fast. If she gets an easy lead, we’re definitely going to take it. If someone else has to have it, we’ll sit second or third.”

Grade 3-winning Florida shipper Cheermeister is likely to set the pace, although the rails-at-zero setting does her no favors. The past three Del Mar summers, pacesetters are 7 for 45 at a mile on turf with the rails down.

A closers-friendly course profile would benefit Warren’s Showtime, who could top $500,000 in earnings if she wins from post 9. Jorge Velez rides Warren’s Showtime, who will scratch from the Fleet Treat Stakes on Friday to run in the San Clemente.

“She’s so athletic and handy that two turns will give her a little bit of an edge,” Lewis said.

The others in the San Clemente are Lazy Daisy, Over Attracted, Croughavouke, Little Bird, Mind Out, Guitty, and Applecross.