Santa Anita: Willa B Awesome heads Melair

ARCADIA, Calif. - On Next Saturday's California Gold Rush day for statebreds, the $300,000 Melair Stakes for 3-year-olds fillies over 1 1/8 miles is expected to be led by Willa B Awesome, the winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on March 31. The $300,000 Snow Chief Stakes for 3-year-olds over 1 1/8 miles lost its favorite on Thursday when trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said that Rousing Sermon will be pointed for the Kentucky Derby.

Without Rousing Sermon, the leading contender is Derby Gold, the winner of the Echo Eddie Stakes for statebred sprinters on Dec. 31.

The $125,000 B. Thoughtful Stakes for fillies and mares over 7 1/2 furlongs is expected to include the multiple stakes winner Halo Dolly, who won an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields earlier this month.