The Hollywood Starlet Stakes (gr. I) has launched many a good filly on her way to major victories as a three-year-old. Turbulent Descent and Blind Luck, the last two winners of the race, both went on to win grade Is at age three, with Blind Luck being named champion at the end of the year.
This year's edition of the Hollywood Starlet Stakes also has the potential to turn out another good horse in Weemissfrankie, who has already proven herself to be a talented runner with victories in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (gr. I) and Oak Leaf Stakes (gr. I). In addition, she ran third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).
Trained by Peter Eurton, Weemissfrankie could potentially head to post as an odds-on favorites against only five rivals. A stretch-running daughter of Sunriver, she may actually be slighter better over synthetic tracks than dirt, which will make her even more dangerous here over Hollywood's Cushion Track. Rafael Bejarano has the mount, which is certainly a plus, and has drawn gate one.
Charm the Maker, however, could play the spoiler here in her second grade I attempt. Trained by Ron McAnally of John Henry/Bayakoa fame, Charm the Maker is a beautifully bred daughter of Empire Maker who has won two of her three starts, including the Sharp Cat Stakes last time out going the same distance and over the same course as the Starlet later this afternoon. In addition, she was only beaten a length by Weemissfrankie in the Oak Leaf while making only her second start. It's very possible that she has improved enough to take down Weemissfrankie this time in a mild upset.
Killer Graces has been knocking on the door for a while now. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, early season victories in the Cinderella and Landaluce Stakes earned her the status of heavy favorite in the Sorrento Stakes (gr. III), but she ran sixth that day before running fifth in the Del Mar Debutante (gr. I). Dropping down in class, she ran second in the Soviet Problem Stakes at Fresno as the even-money favorite, then finished second again in the Sharp Cat Stakes, this time to the amove-mentioned Charm the Maker. While she is certainly a talented filly, I find it hard to see her pulling an upset here today.
Self Preservation began her career in Europe, breaking her maiden second time out before shipping to the United States to compete in the Del Mar Debutante. Turning in a strong performance, she rallied from last to finish 1 1/4 lengths behind Weemissfrankie. But she disappointed in the Oak Leaf Stakes, finishing fifth beaten 9 1/2 lengths. She then ran fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), badly beaten by My Miss Aurelia and Grace Hall but finishing only 1 1/4 lengths behind Weemissfrankie once again.
Lady Pecan, trained by Bob Baffert, broke her maiden for a tag at Woodbine before finishing eighth and last in the Spinaway Stakes (gr. I), beaten some 22 lengths. She then ran fourth beaten 10 1/4 lengths in the Anoakia Stakes at Santa Anita, the fourth beaten three lengths in the Sharp Cat Stakes. Perhaps that last effort signals that she is improving, and it's hard to ignore the duo of Bob Baffert/Martin Garcia, but I can't see Lady Pecan being much of a threat for the win.
But Mi Vena is the most unusual contender of all. She has started four times, all in maiden special weight company, and has finished fourth, fifth, fifth, and fifth. Admittedly, she has been improving with every start, but a maiden in a grade I race? Perhaps there's something her trainer knows that I don't, but I can't see her topping Weemissfrankie or Charm the Maker.
Here are my picks:
1 Charm the Maker
2 Weemissfrankie
3 Killer Graces
4 Self Preservation
-Keelerman
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