White Sands possible for Sorrento Stakes, trainer Ward says

White Sands, who has won the first two races of her career by a combined margin of 23 1/4 lengths, could move into graded company for her next start, trainer Wesley Ward said Saturday.

Ward said White Sands is under serious consideration for the Grade 3, $150,000 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar. The six-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies will be run Aug. 10.

White Sands is coming off a 13 3/4-length win over males in the $101,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile at Prairie Meadows. Prior to the race, she won a maiden special weight at Belterra Park. White Sands won in hand both times. She earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 72 for her performance at Prairie Meadows.

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“I tell you what, I was very impressed with her,” Ward said of the Prairie Gold Juvenile. “She stepped it up, certainly from her first to her next. And of course, she’s got to do that again, but we’re hopeful she can.

“We’re thinking about the Sorrento. Today was actually her first day back training. I’ll watch her train this week, see what her energy level looks like, and we’ll make a decision.”

White Sands is a daughter of Into Mischief and a half-sister to champion sprinter Jackie’s Warrior.

“I think it’s important with her pedigree that we can sort of stamp in a [graded] stakes win and/or placing,” Ward said. “That would just move her way up – not only her, but her progeny’s value.”

White Sands shipped in from Kentucky to win the Prairie Gold Juvenile. She races for the partnership of Mrs. John Magnier and Mrs. Paul Shanahan.

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