Sheza Smoke show looks to stand out from the pack in San Clemente
A win in the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at Santa Anita on June 28 is the defining performance in the career of Sheza Smoke Show. But it only makes her one of several contenders in Saturday’s $200,000 San Clemente Stakes at Del Mar.
With conditions similar to the Senorita – 3-year-old fillies running a mile on turf – trainer Peter Eurton is confident that Sheza Smoke Show can repeat that effort in the Grade 2 San Clemente.
“Her energy level is good,” Eurton said. “It won’t be an easy spot, but it never is in a Grade 2.”
The San Clemente has a projected field of 12, including Concave, Diversy Harbor, Istanford, Miss Machiavelli, Morning Fix, My Conquestadory, Sandiva, Sushi Empire, Tepin, Tiz Kissable, and Tiz the Key. There are nine stakes winners in that group.
Joe Talamo is booked to ride Sheza Smoke Show, a winner of 3 of 6 starts.
Eurton may have another Grade 2 runner later this month, with Blue Grass Stakes winner Dance With Fate in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap over 1 1/16 miles July 26. Dance With Fate was sixth in the Kentucky Derby in his last start May 3.
Dance With Fate was an intended starter in the Belmont Derby on turf July 5, but did not start because of a mild case of colic, Eurton said. Dance With Fate worked a half-mile at Santa Anita in 49.60 seconds July 13 before being sent to Del Mar.
Dance With Fate’s win in the Blue Grass Stakes was on a Polytrack synthetic surface. Del Mar has a Polytrack synthetic surface on its main track.
“If he breezes well on Saturday, it’s San Diego here we come,” Eurton said.
– additional reporting by Steve Andersen