Wilshire within Moone's My Name's comfort zone

ARCADIA, Calif. – Moone’s My Name needed six starts in the United States to win her first stakes, finally doing so in the minor American Beauty Stakes over a mile on turf on March 29.

A year after the English import began her career in this country, trainer John Sadler said he and his staff better understand the needs of the 6-year-old Moone’s My Name. The knowledge was on display in the American Beauty and could be successful in Sunday’s $100,000 Wilshire Stakes over a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

“We learned a couple of things,” Sadler said on Friday. “We learned she doesn’t want a mile and an eighth. She’s a miler. She’s won at a mile and a sixteenth, but she was getting late.

“She’s one that has had some issues in the saddling paddock. We put her on a schedule where she schools 10 or 15 times before she races. She’s acting a lot better.”

Owned by the Batchelor Family Trust, Moone’s My Name has drawn the rail in the Grade 3 Wilshire, which drew a field of seven fillies and mares. Last year, Moone’s My Name was second in the American Beauty and third in the Wilshire Handicap when the race was run at Hollywood Park.

For Sunday’s race, Moone’s My Name breaks from the inside, a post position that does not concern Sadler. Moone’s My Name closed from seventh of eight and overcame trouble in the final half-mile to win the American Beauty by a length over Unusual Hottie.

“She’ll save ground and it’s a good post for her,” Sadler said.

If this is a turf mile in California, then trainer Tom Proctor’s stable will be a factor. Proctor has two contenders in the Wilshire in Premier Steps and Theatre Star, the recent winners of optional claimers over a mile on turf.

Premier Steps won on March 9. She won the Sweetest Chant Stakes at Gulfstream Park in 2013 before joining Proctor’s stable late last year.

Theatre Star will be well-supported in the Wilshire. A 4-year-old filly, she has won four consecutive races since November, rising in class following a win in a $40,000 claimer for maidens at Aqueduct. Theatre Star won her California debut over 1 1/8 miles on turf on April 4.

“She has a lot of class and does things pretty easily,” said Aimee Dollase, Proctor’s assistant. “They thought she had some potential. You hope to turn that into stakes potential.”

The Wilshire field includes Parranda, who won the Suwanee River Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 8. The Wilshire will be the first start in California for Parranda, who is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer.

Journey On, Nickels Wild, and Rhagori will start as longer prices. Journey On was supplemented to the race for $2,000 when entries were taken on Thursday.

Rhagori, a 5-year-old British-bred mare, won her U.S. debut on March 7, but was second to Theatre Star on April 4.

“I think the slow pace compromised her,” said trainer Simon Callaghan. “There’s some pace in here and I think the setup should be better.”