SAN MATEO, Calif. - Exactly one year ago on May 23, Erica's Smile won her maiden for trainer Jeff Bonde.
She was so impressive that day that she was entered in a stakes race at Hollywood Park and was the morning-line favorite, but was scratched after developing a fever. Two days after the fever was detected, she was diagnosed with pneumonia.
Erica's Smile finally returns to the races Thursday, and appears to be the one to beat in the Bay Meadows feature race, a six-furlong $40,000 optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies.