Sunland: 'Dee Dee' needs her best

A resurgent Dee Dee's Diner and classy comebacker Blue Song square off in Sunland's $50,000 Santa Teresa Handicap. The 6 1/2-furlong event for fillies and mares lured a field of seven.

On paper, Dee Dee's Diner and Blue Song hold the aces. Dee Dee's Diner, owned by Chris Coleman and trained by Henry Dominguez, shipped to New Mexico with a strong Southern California resume. She was second in the Zia Distaff at Zia Park on Oct. 8 and romped in the Lady's Secret there on Nov. 14. But then she ran eighth of nine in the Bold Ego here Dec. 22 as the 4-5 favorite. Dee Dee's Diner has since bounced back with victories in an allowance race here Jan. 10 and in the Czaria here Feb. 19. Ken Tohill rides Dee Dee's Diner, the likely favorite.

Dee Dee's Diner had better be back on her game if she is to handle Blue Song. Owned by Armando Jurado and trained by Jose Gonzalez, Blue Song has been a stalwart in the Southwest, winning 12 of 27, including multiple stakes here. She's 4 for 8 over this track, so she obviously likes it here.

Blue Song comes into this after being gone nearly two months, as she was last seen finishing third as the 4-5 favorite in a mile allowance race here Jan. 24. However, she has won two of the last three times she came off a layoff. Miguel Perez rides.

Genuine True invades from back East for trainer Steve Asmussen. A daughter of Yes It's True, Genuine True has won at Churchill, Monmouth, and the Aqueduct inner track. She was last seen finishing fifth in the Dixie Flag at Aqueduct in mid-January. She worked well over this track last Tuesday (four furlongs in 48.40 seconds) and certainly merits respect. Casey Lambert rides.

Red Lifesaver, most recently third behind Dee Dee's Diner as the 7-5 favorite in the Czaria, and Water Park, winner of an allowance race here Jan. 29 before finishing second in the Czaria, can certainly threaten on their best days.