Warren's Showtime, Leggs Galore meet again in Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf Sprint
Leggs Galore and Warren’s Showtime met four times in turf stakes in Southern California in 2021, each finishing in front of the other twice.
Fittingly, they begin their 2022 seasons in the same event – Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint for California-breds at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.
There is much to like about both 5-year-old mares, as well as a few of their rivals.
Warren’s Showtime, trained by Craig Lewis for Ben and Sally Warren, won the California Distaff on the hillside turf course in October in her first start on the unique layout.
Leggs Galore, trained by Phil D’Amato for Jack Sims, won the 2021 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint when the race was run at six furlongs on the oval course, the fourth win in a five-race winning streak. Warren’s Showtime was third in that race.
Saturday’s race will be the first for Leggs Galore on the hillside course, and her first start since a fourth-place finish in the Solana Beach Stakes for statebred turf milers at Del Mar in August.
Warren’s Showtime, third in the Solana Beach, followed her win in the California Distaff with second-place finishes in two stakes on dirt, including the Grade 3 Bayakoa Stakes at Los Alamitos on Dec. 5.
In Saturday’s race, Lewis is banking on Warren’s Showtime’s course experience, and an expected solid pace.
“I think it will come down to the shape of the race and who gets a good trip,” he said earlier this week.
Warren’s Showtime closed from fifth in a field of six to win the California Distaff with a sharp rally. In Saturday’s race, Warren’s Showtime must catch the speedy Leggs Galore.
“She’s pretty sharp and fresh,” D’Amato said. “I think she’ll show her speed. With that outside post, she’ll go winging early and hopefully prove best late.”
D’Amato said Leggs Galore was in need of a rest after the Solana Beach.
“She had run a lot,” he said. “It was a good time to give her a break.”
Leggs Galore and Warren’s Showtime were first and second in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes last May, an order that was reversed a month later in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes.
While they figure to dominate the betting on Saturday, there will be support for Nardini, who was second in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint last year and was later second by a nose in the Solana Beach.
Nardini was rested briefly last fall and returned to finish second in the Bear Fan Stakes at six furlongs at Golden Gate Fields on Dec. 11 behind Rebelation, who is part of Saturday’s field. Kent Desormeaux rides Nardini for the first time on Saturday.
“She’s tactical,” trainer Andy Mathis said. “Hopefully Kent can work out a good trip. I think she has to work out one of her best races to win.”
The Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint is part of a 20-cent Rainbow pick six with a mandatory payout.