Ticker Tape set to snap skid

ARCADIA, Calif. - Ticker Tape will be a busy girl this winter. The 5-year-old turf mare runs Thursday at Santa Anita as the favorite in the $75,000 Tuzla Handicap, 18 days after finishing second in the Grade 2 San Gorgonio Handicap.

And the one-mile Tuzla is only a warm-up. After that, trainer Jim Cassidy said, "I'm running her right back [Feb. 20] in the Buena Vista."

is not a big mare, but she can handle a series of demanding races. "This mare recovers so well," Cassidy said. "I usually like to give fillies a chance - Katdogawn needed five or six weeks - but not this filly."

Since she began her career in England at 2, Ticker Tape has always thrived on activity. She jammed her three best races in England into a 21-day period, then shipped to the U.S. in late 2003. The following year, she emerged as the country's top 3-year-old turf filly by winning the Grade 1 American Oaks and Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II.

But there is a problem. The last race Ticker Tape won was the QEII, way back on Oct. 16, 2004. On Thursday in race 7, Ticker Tape tries to snap a nine-race, 15-month losing streak. Her main rival is Movie Star, who uncorked an early run in the San Gorgonio and made the lead a furlong out before losing her punch going 1 1/8 miles.

, trained by Bobby Frankel, will benefit from the shorter distance and easier company Thursday. She also has a history of improving second start back, and with only nine career starts she has more upside potential than Ticker Tape, a 7-for-26 veteran.

The parimutuel dilemma is projecting how much Movie Star will improve. Ticker Tape finished more than two lengths in front of her in the San Gorgonio. Kent Desormeaux, who has five wins and 10 seconds at the meet, rides Ticker Tape at 121 pounds. Garrett Gomez, with 26 wins and 19 seconds, rides Movie Star at 118.

Only four others entered the Tuzla, including Grade 3 winner Paddy's Daisy, who is trained by Patrick Biancone. A winner of 5 of 12 overall, Paddy's Daisy is making her first start of the meet. Alex Solis rides Paddy's Daisy, who is adding blinkers.

is a turf sprinter who stretches out to two turns after a non-competitive comeback Jan. 5. Trainer Ron McAnally entered two - Sparkling Humor and stakes winner Alozaina, who scored a 20-1 upset when she faced Sparkling Humor on Oct. 8 at Bay Meadows.