Santa Monica Stakes – Grade II

  SA   Race #5   7f   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $200.000  For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Missing Matter, trained by Paradise Stable
Last season saw this filly move through the grades at the low end tracks but by the
latter part of the year she was seen in better class. A good win in the Te Ata Stakes
saw her take her chance in the OK Classics Distaff where she weakened late to be fifth.
That run was repeated in the Grade three Rampart over a mile where she tried to make the
running and weakened in the stretch. At this level this trip certainly looks her optimum trip
and from this draw I expect her to be in the race for a long time.

2 Ocala Express, traied by D J C Racing Stables
This filly is another that was racing at a lower level before taking on black type company
but the back end of last year saw her take giant strides. A win from the stalk in the FL
Sire Stakes was followed up with another ungraded stakes win in the Millions Distaff Preview.
Whilst those two wins were good her best perfromance came in The Rampart, a good form race for
this event, where she ran out a strong half length winner. She has a running style that suits
a small field and this draw is perfect so she will be starting a strong fancy to make it
four in a row.

3 Ambient, trained by Mb Stables
Racing at the top level this five year old had a great year last year ending up with a half
length second in the BC Fillies and Mares Sprint. On paper this filly has the class edge on
her field but her recent work was just a tick off her best and i wonder whether she will need
this run after being off the track since October. If she is ready to go she has a huge chance
but i think her odds may be a bit skinny and she does have a question mark – she may just find
one too good in the run to the line.

4 Chocolatini, trained by Chili King Stables
A winner of only two from sixteen she has been consistent at every level but has a habit of
finding one to beat her. Her works are pretty good considering she hasnt run since last
September so she may have strengthened up between three and four and she represents a value
bet if you are looking outside the box for a winner. She managed her best speed figure in
her last race when second in the the Bloom Handicap and i expect a big run from her today.

5 Seven To Mia, trained by Smokey Stover
Another filly who found some improvement late in her three year old career she ended the
season with a strong second in the grade one La Brea. Previously she had kept on gamely to be
a half length second to Ocala Express in the Rampart so she is right on the sharp end of the
form for this race. She raced on turf for most of her success but has really taken to the
dirt track in her last three starts and this trip looks perfect.

6 Lovely Lodge, trained by Diablo Diablo
This six year old came off a long rest to win the grade two Bessarabian Stakes and her trainer
looks to repeat that here after another sizeable lay off. Her works havent been very convincing
though and at age six you have to wonder of she has started a decline. With a penalty to carry and
a wide draw i can easily strike this one off my possible winners list.

7 Chase Hardhead, trained by Sarah Stables
An interesting entry she is an unbeaten four year old filly who has produced a great late run
in much lesser company to win three from three. Her running style will be fine if her trainer
can overcome the wide gate push and she may just fly late and grab an improbable victory. Her works
are right up there with the best of these so write her off at your peril.

SUMMARY
I think this may turn out to be a race between the Rampart first and second Ocala Express and
Seven To Mia. If that form doesnt hold up then Ambient is an obvious choice and if you want to
get really funky then Chase Hardhead may be a surprise.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES