Tasha's Miracle on display

DEL MAR, Calif. - A measure of hype has surrounded Tasha's Miracle since she scored a stylish win in a maiden race at Hollywood Park on July 1. Since then, Team Valor International has bought a 50 percent interest in the filly from owner Syd Belzberg.

Whether the attention, and the investment, was worth it will help be determined in Wednesday's $150,000 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar. The Grade 3 race over 6 1/2 furlongs for

2-year-old fillies will be Tasha's Miracle's stakes debut. She will be favored against eight rivals.

Tasha's Miracle has worked three times on Del Mar's synthetic Polytrack surface, and trainer John Sadler said she likes it.

"I like that I've gotten three works into her," Sadler said. "I think it's very important."

Tasha's Miracle drew the outside post, which should complement the running style that Sadler would like jockey David Flores to employ. Sadler wants Tasha's Miracle to stalk expected pacesetters Princess Susan M and One Hot Wish.

"I know she's good on these surfaces," he said. "Her strength is her stamina. I think she'll be coming from off the pace."

Among Tasha's Miracle's competition is a two-time stakes winner in Carbella, a world record holder in One Hot Wish, and two fillies that were third in recent stakes - American County and Set Play.

Carbella won two stakes on the Northern California fair circuit this summer. Trained by Adam Kitchingman, she has speed but appears best as a stalker.

One Hot Wish has made one start, winning a maiden race over 4 1/2 furlongs in a world record 48.87 seconds at Keeneland in April. She was scratched from the CTBA Stakes on July 20 after showing mucus in her respiratory system.

Trainer Wesley Ward said One Hot Wish does not have to be on the front.

"I think she'll be very versatile," he said. "She's handled the track as well as any horse I've trained."

One Hot Wish worked five furlongs in a quick 59.60 seconds on July 26 under jockey Joe Talamo, who has the mount in the Sorrento.

"She's very, very fit," Ward said. "I'm expecting a good effort."