Smiling Shirlee switching surfaces for California Cup Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. – Smiling Shirlee was second or third in three consecutive stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies in the final five months of 2019. For the start of her 2020 campaign, Smiling Shirlee will be given a different assignment – her turf debut in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Oaks for 3-year-old statebred fillies at a mile at Santa Anita.

Smiling Shirlee, who is by Smiling Tiger, was second to Cholula Lips in the Soviet Problem Stakes at a mile on dirt at Los Alamitos last month, closing from fifth after a wide trip to miss by three lengths. The surface switch in the California Cup Oaks is worth a try, trainer Jeff Bonde said.

“The Smiling Tigers have been good on the grass,” he said.

Smiling Tiger is the sire of Grinning Tiger and Ima Happy Cat, who have placed in stakes on turf, and Helen’s Tiger and Tiger Dad, who have each won twice on turf.

Smiling Shirlee is expected to be Bonde’s only runner among the five six-figure stakes for California-breds on Saturday’s program.

Tap Back, the winner of the Golden State Juvenile here in November, was turned out with a knee injury following a second in the King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos in December, Bonde said.

“He’ll be all right,” Bonde said.

The California Cup Oaks is one of three $200,000 races on Saturday’s program.

The Hunted, the winner of the Crystal Water Stakes for statebred milers on turf last April, and Ashleyluvssugar, a millionaire and six-time stakes winner, are two leading contenders in the $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

The stakes winners Bettor Trip Nick and Club Aspen may meet for the first time in the $200,000 California Cup Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

Just Grazed Me, who has won four of her last five starts, will be a strong favorite in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs. She has not raced since a win in the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes over the same course and distance on Nov. 2.

The $150,000 California Cup Sprint at six furlongs is led by the four-time stakes winner Baja Sur and the three-time stakes winner Heck Yeah. Heck Yeah won the 2018 California Cup Derby.