Smiling Tigress auditions for Evening Jewel Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Smiling Tigress was second in two optional claimers at Santa Anita in January and February, losses that have not dented trainer David Bernstein’s appreciation of the filly.

Bernstein is starting Smiling Tigress in a $56,000 allowance race for California-bred fillies and mares Thursday that will determine whether she starts in the $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies April 7.

Smiling Tigress will need to be at her best in Thursday’s six-furlong race. She is racing against older horses for the first time and has drawn the rail, a position Bernstein said is far from ideal.

“She hasn’t run as well on the inside,” Bernstein said. “We’ll see how the race shapes up.”

The situation is not dire. Smiling Tigress does not face a tough field in the sixth race on an eight-race program that begins at noon Pacific. The pick six has a carryover of $50,169 from Sunday.

KEY CONTENDERS
Smiling Tigress, by Smiling Tiger

Last 3 Beyers: 70-64-61

◗ Smiling Tigress was beaten eighth lengths Jan. 14, but by only 1 3/4 lengths on Feb. 11. She won a maiden race for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs last October, her only win in eight starts.

◗ Smiling Tigress stalked the pace in her maiden-race win before taking a commanding lead in the stretch to win by 5 3/4 lengths. Bernstein said Smiling Tigress will be close to the pace under regular jockey Tyler Baze on Thursday.

“He knows where she needs to be,” Bernstein said. “He’s been riding her and working her. Her best races are when she’s a little off the pace. You can’t anchor her. She has a lot of natural speed. She’s a trier.”

Party Hostess, by Big Bad Leroybrown
Last 3 Beyers: 72-52-69

◗ Party Hostess has won two races for claimers – a $50,000 claiming race for maidens last July and a starter allowance in her most recent start Feb. 16.

◗ Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Party Hostess tends to run near the front. She will be ridden by Evin Roman, the champion apprentice jockey of 2017. Roman lost his apprentice claim Sunday and rides as a journeyman for the first time Thursday.

Strike at Daylight, by Strike for Glory
Beyer: 76

◗ Thursday’s race will be an immediate class test for Strike at Daylight, who won a $30,000 claiming race for maidens at 6 1/2 furlongs in her debut Feb. 16. Trained by Hector Palma, Strike at Daylight disputed the pace before drawing off to win by 4 1/2 lengths as a 16-1 outsider in a field of eight.

Twisted Rosie, by Twice the Appeal
Last 3 Beyers: 65-52-59

◗ Smiling Tigress, Sharona Sunset, and Twisted Rosie are the only 3-year-old fillies among the eight entrants.

◗ Twisted Rosie was third in the Soviet Problem Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at a mile at Los Alamitos in December, but is winless in two starts at this meeting in allowance races for California-bred 3-year-old fillies with a $50,000 claiming option – a seventh Jan. 14 after disputing the pace and a third behind Smiling Tigress on Feb. 11.