Santa Anita: Scherzinger to stretch out

ARCADIA, Calif. – Scherzinger, the winner of Saturday’s $200,250 Santa Monica Stakes over seven furlongs, will start around two turns in her next start.

“I think she deserves a shot to stretch out,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

Scherzinger won the Grade 2 Santa Monica by a length over Iotapa. Ridden by Mike Smith, Scherzinger led early, dropped back to third on the turn, and rallied on the inside to retake the lead in the final furlong. Smith said Scherzinger was a patient filly.

“She was content,” Smith said. “She went right back into a relaxed mode, and when I called on her, she jumped right through.”

One possibility for Scherzinger’s next start is the $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes over 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares Feb. 15.

• Hollendorfer was fined $1,000 by track stewards for failing to disclose that Street Icon was racing as a gelding for the first time Dec. 27. Street Icon finished second in a $58,000 allowance race for sprinters. Trainers are required to state that a horse has been gelded since his last start when entries are submitted.