Think globally, bet locally

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Hollywood Park is the site of abundant potential Friday, when an international cross section of fillies and mares contest the seventh-race feature.

An undefeated filly from Brazil - Tropical Lady - makes her U.S. debut for owner Aaron Jones and trainer Eduardo Inda. Is she another Riboletta? Jones and Inda can always hope.

Italian Oaks winner Timi, bred in England and trained by Neil Drysdale, also makes her U.S. debut. Handicappers able to overlook two abysmal efforts last fall will find a filly who finished first or second in 10 previous starts. Timi has trained well for her comeback.

Sissi Song - a moderate handicap horse in Europe - also has impressed clockers. A French-bred filly, she makes her first U.S. start Friday, with morning works that suggest trainer Paul Aguirre has a good one.

Seven fillies and mares entered the mile turf race, a classified allowance/optional $100,000 claiming race in which front-runner Southern House (from Ireland) is the only one offered for a tag. Radiant (from India) and Sweet Eternity (from Brazil) also entered the $58,000 race.

It's an interesting field of foreign invaders, yet the most likely winner is the filly who began her career in California and has never left. Minor Details, by General Meeting, shortens to a mile after a good second at 1 1/4 miles, and enters with a current condition edge over most of her foes.

Trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Golden Eagle Farm, Minor Details returned from a 10-month layoff in March to finish sixth in a downhill prep. It was her first start since switching barns (from Richard Mandella), and she subsequently improved to beat three-other-than fillies. Though no match for The Seven Seas next time out, she finished more than four lengths clear of third. Minor Details, 4 for 13, should benefit from the shorter distance Friday.

Tropical Lady puts an unblemished record on the line for Inda. A four-time winner in Brazil, including a Group 2, the 4-year-old has gradually improved in appearance since arriving here in November. Said Inda: "When she came here, she was a little small . . . . she's really changed and put weight on."

Facing issues of current condition and class, there are no easy spots for Tropical Lady. "I've got to run," Inda said. "We don't have any conditions." Inda was asked, is she another Riboletta? "You never know. There aren't too many Ribolettas, but I'd like to have another."

- additional reporting by Steve Andersen