Windy suited to 7-furlong Cal Breeders'

ARCADIA, Calif. - The focus of day two at Santa Anita could be on Bai and Bai and Sierra Sweetie, who finished first and second in last month's California Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting. But , who rallied sharply to defeat maidens at Hollywood Park on Nov. 20, has the look of a rapidly improving filly who should appreciate the seven furlongs of the $125,000 California Breeders' Champion Stakes, the day's seventh race.

Despite being a California-bred, Windy made her first start in New York, where trainer Bobby Frankel brought her after she did her early training in Florida. "I didn't even know she was a Cal-bred until the owner told me," Frankel said.

After Windy ran third in her debut at Belmont Park in September, Frankel sent her west and took advantage of her Cal-bred eligibility by running her against statebred maidens at 6 1/2 furlongs. After breaking sluggishly, she rallied to win going away under jockey Alex Solis, who is back aboard Wednesday.

"She slipped a little behind leaving the gate, but Alex played it cool. He sat still and waited to move," Frankel said.

Windy drew the rail for Wednesday's race, but she should be able to settle and finish.

"I'd rather not have the 1-hole," Frankel said. "She doesn't have too much early speed. But she's brave. She's got a decent shot. You've got to be a little lucky from the rail, luckier than if you have the outside."

Bai and Bai drew post 9 in the 10-horse field. She has won 3 of her last 4 starts, including the Cal Cup, but her best Beyer Speed Figure is only 73.

Sierra Sweetie, who was second in the Cal Cup, defeated Bai and Bai in the Carmel Stakes at Bay Meadows in October. She has finished first or second in all five of her races.

Unchanged Melody knifed her way through a 12-horse field to capture her debut at Hollywood Park on Dec. 11 for trainer John Shirreffs. Like Windy, she has the right to make a significant move forward off her maiden win.

Press Camp is the most inscrutable runner in the field. After a pair of desultory efforts in the spring, she returned from a six-month layoff, dropped into a soft maiden claimer at Golden Gate, and romped by 11 lengths while earning a Beyer Figure of 93, tops in the field. Whether she will validate that figure is a question every handicapper must ponder.