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 You are My Sunshine, trained by Stone Creek Farm
The winner of 8 from 18, she has been knocking on the door of greatness for a while now but seems to be stuck just below this grade. A solid sprinter, she took the Sugar Swirl at the end of last year after some good place efforts in the PID Masters and the LA Woman and even competed in the BC Sprint, though she didn’t threaten. A good win on seasonal debut preceded a perfectly good third in the Fritchie Stakes, and whilst she still has something to prove, I think her consistency will see her in the frame.

2 Mandy Mo, trained by Angelos Stable
Claimed for $8.000 last season, she has shown some good improvement since building into a good win in an ungraded stakes at the end of last year. She started this season on the up and took another step up by winning the Toboggan in her first race of the year. That is a good form race for this, and she dug deep to win by a nose that day after making up plenty of ground in the final furlong. She again finished well last time when third in the grade three General George Stakes and looks ready to take another step up today.

3 Charismatic, trained by Broken Spoke Stables
Another that looks to be on the up she ran well in her first attempt at graded level when a close fourth in the Las Flores Stakes last time. She was under a length behind Dashboard Rehy in that race and a smidgen behind Therapy so that form puts her right in this race especially as she was finishing fastest of all that day.

4 Therapy, trained by TwinTowersRacing
Put up an improved effort last time when stalking Dashboard Rehy  in the Las Flores Stakes, but never looked like getting passed her. She deserves respect and must be a place chance, but I cant see her turning the tables.

5 Dashboard Rahy, trained by John Henry
This six year old winner of 12 races has won at just about every level, including grade one, but after a slightly dummed down year last year, it was felt her best form was behind her. She proved that theory very wrong by making all and comfortably holding them off in the Las Flores last time out, and it seems she will once again be very competitive today. Her trainer certainly has her in a good frame of mind, and she certainly has the class to win.

6 Dreaming Of Lys, trained by Smokey Stover
Got on a bit of a roll last year, but disappointed in the BC Distaff after winning the Empire Distaff just before. Before that, her best efforts seem to be up to a mile so that may explain the disappointing run, and she showed that to be spot on when taking the Hurricane Bertie on seasonal debut. Bought by Smokey Stover in their major splash out, she could go some way to paying back the $175.000 she cost.

7 Oyster Puff, trained by Mb Stables
Was tried at a higher level last year, but didn’t really show much and has been much better this year so far, taking a couple of open allowances at SUN and recording some solid work times. Going on her last start all the way win, she could make the outside speed push work for her here, and if she can get a soft lead, she may be hard to peg back.

SUMMARY
An open looking race so hard to find a winner, I just favor Mandy Mo to sneak home.

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