Waveline looking at her best

DEL MAR, Calif. – Waveline looked like she was developing into a significant runner last year when her career was interrupted by a fracture to a hind cannon bone. But she’s back now, and perhaps better than ever.

Waveline returned from a 13-month layoff with an eye-catching victory at Del Mar on July 22, and meets many of the same rivals, under the same conditions, but for a bit more money, when she competes on Friday’s twilight card in the $75,000 Daisycutter Handicap.

The Daisycutter, at five furlongs on turf, drew 12 entrants, four of whom are also-eligibles. Waveline landed post 7. Her rivals include Pasar Silbano and Octavia Blue, who finished second and third, respectively, in the optional-claiming race that Waveline won on this course, at this distance, three weeks ago.

“Considering she was off for 13 months, I thought she was pretty impressive,” said Ben Cecil, who trains Waveline for her owner and breeder, Paul Reddam. “She looked like a nice filly last year before she got hurt. The vets thought she had a good shot at coming back, which is why she wasn’t retired. She was only 4 last year, 5 now. We thought we’d give it a shot.”

Waveline finished sharply once finding room in the stretch run of her comeback race. Cecil thinks she is best sprinting, and on turf. In four races under those circumstances in this country, she has two wins and two seconds, with both losses coming by a nose.

“I think she’s a better grass filly,” Cecil said. “And we’ve tried her going a mile. That’s definitely not her game.”

Pasar Silbano was favored in the July 22 race, her first start since January. She pressed the pace and won that battle, but lost the war.

Octavia Blue was making her first start on this circuit last time out after arriving from Churchill Downs. She set the pace while hounded by Pasar Silbano and eventually finished a half-length behind Pasar Silbano and two lengths in back of Waveline.

Reba Is Tops was scratched out of that July 22 race and now makes her first start since Jan. 3. She was an unlucky nose loser of last year’s Daisycutter to course specialist Queen of the Catsle.

Dotsy Jean was first, and Porto Marmay third, in the Culver City Stakes going six furlongs on turf at Hollywood Park on July 2. Porto Marmay needs a hot pace to set up her late run. Dotsy Jean has more tactical speed.