Jockey Mike Smith guides Hard Not to Love to the winner’s circle after their victory in their Grade II, $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes, Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA.© BENOIT PHOTO
Beaten as the 3-5 favorite in the Grade I Beholder Mile on March 14, Hard Not to Love is out to make amends in Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes for fillies and mares, three and older, at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita Park.
The 4-year-old Hard Spun filly was second to burgeoning Ce Ce in the Beholder after setting the pace until approaching the stretch run, losing the lead past the quarter pole.
The one-eyed bay showed her readiness for the Santa Maria with a bullet five-furlong workout last Sunday in 58.80.
“She came out of the work really well,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “We had a little (racing) delay here, but other than that, she’s been running on a pretty consistent basis.
“I think that has helped her mature. Last time she drew the one hole so I hope we get a better post position Sunday.”
She didn’t. She drew the rail again.
Hard Not to Love has been favored in four of her seven races, the last two at odds-on. She has won five, with one second and one third for earnings of $488,480.
The Santa Maria gained in prestige and anticipation when trainer Michael McCarthy and owner/breeder Bo Hirsch entered streaking Grade I winner Ce Ce, setting up a rematch between her and Hard Not to Love.
Ce Ce also was being considered for the Grade I, $600,000 Ogden Phipps at Belmont Park on June 13, but when all the i’s and t’s were dotted and crossed, they opted to remain at home.
Ce Ce, a four-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality, out of Hirsch’s Grade I winning Miss Houdini, captured the Beholder Mile before traveling to Arkansas where she edged Ollie’s Candy by a head in the Grade I Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park April 18.
Overall, Ce Ce has four wins from six starts with earnings of $726,600 and is three for four at Santa Anita. Victor Espinoza, who has ridden her in all six races, will be aboard again in the Santa Maria.
The Santa Maria, race seven of eight with a 12:30 p.m. first post time: Hard Not to Love, Mike Smith, 9-5; Ce Ce, Victor Espinoza, 3-5; Fighting Mad, Abel Cedillo, 6-1; Horologist, Flavien Prat, 8-1; and Kaydetre, Brice Blanc, 20-1
New to the Paulick Report? Click here to sign up for our daily email newsletter to keep up on this and other stories happening in the Thoroughbred industry.
Copyright © 2020 Paulick Report.
