Shirreffs looking to give Paradise Woods another chance

ARCADIA, Calif. - Despite her last-place finish in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita last Saturday, trainer John Shirreffs is not ready to give up on Paradise Woods.

Paradise Woods broke from the rail in a field of five. She raced on the inside throughout and faded from contention in the stretch to finish 8 3/4 lengths behind winner Marley’s Freedom, the odds-on favorite.

“I think the post position compromised us,” Shirreffs said earlier this week. “It was hard to reach any conclusions.

“She didn’t break running and rushed up a little and got boxed in. That’s not her style.”

Paradise Woods had worked quickly in the weeks before the Santa Monica, her first start since July.

“She looked so good and trained so well,” Shirreffs said.

The Santa Monica Stakes, at seven furlongs for fillies and mares, was the first start for Paradise Woods since she was transferred to Shirreffs from Richard Mandella in December by owners Steve Sarkowsky and Marty and Pam Wygod. In 2017, Paradise Woods won two Grade 1 races and was third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar.

Shirreffs said earlier this week that one option for Paradise Woods is the Grade 1 Beholder Mile on March 16.