Trick Skate can put Cinderella fiasco behind her in CTBA Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trick Skate finished last in the Cinderella Stakes at Hollywood Park on June, but the loss did not affect trainer Molly Pearson’s outlook for the filly’s summer campaign.

“She had the worst trip,” Pearson said.

Pearson and owner-breeder Craig Jones have tried to forget how Trick Skate was in traffic twice in the Cinderella and quickly out of contention. They are focusing on an easier spot, Friday’s $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for 2-year-old statebred fillies at Del Mar.

“I hope she can run better than that race,” Pearson said of the Cinderella. “We’ve been trying to get her to relax and make her finish. She’s been doing really well and feeling better.”

The CTBA Stakes, run over 5 1/2 furlongs, has drawn a full field of 12 California-bred or California-sired fillies. Trick Skate was bred in Kentucky, but is by California-based Swiss Yodeler, a former leading sire in California. All 12 fillies are seeking their first stakes wins.

Trick Skate is making her fourth start, having finished fourth in a maiden race on May 2 and returning to win a race for statebred fillies at Hollywood Park on May 20. In that race, she led throughout and won by 2 14 lengths.

For the CTBA Stakes, Trick Skate will be ridden for the first time by Alonso Quinonez.

The race will not feature a heavy favorite. There are four maidens and three fillies who have placed in stakes.

Arta B Tappin, who starts from the rail, was third in the Cinderella, but is still a maiden after five starts. The draw will not hurt her chances, trainer Walther Solis said, but he wishes the race were longer.

“This is a filly that will come from behind and get position,” Solis said. “I don’t think it will affect us at all. “I like Arta B Tappin a lot. I wish we could go a little longer with her.”

Trainer Mike Harrington has two experienced runners – Hi Ho Yodeler and Swiss Wild Cat. Hi Ho Yodeler was fourth in the Cinderella and fifth in the Landaluce. Swiss Wild Cat was a good second in the Cinderella but only sixth after a wide-trip in the Landaluce.

Rockin Heather, the winner of a two-furlong maiden race at Santa Anita in April, was third in the Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes at Pleasanton earlier this month.