NEWS

Ventura looms large in Santa Monica

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 11:31 AM

VENTURA

Benoit & Associates photo

by Steve Bailey

Sentient Flight Group Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Ventura will take on seven challengers in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (G1) on Saturday at Santa Anita Park.

The five-year-old Chester House mare most likely will be an overwhelming favorite after trainer Bob Baffert announced on Thursday that champion female sprinter Indian Blessing, who was entered in the seven-furlong race, would not run.

Baffert said he instead most likely will train the four-year-old Indian Charlie filly up to the $2-million Nakheel Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) on March 28 at Nad al Sheba racecourse.

Indian Blessing’s defection leaves Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel’s Ventura as the lone Grade 1 winner in the field.

“I’m glad Indian Blessing’s not running,” Frankel said. “I’m not looking for tough competition.”

Ventura won four of her seven starts last season, including the Just a Game Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and the Vinery Madison Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Race Course. In the Breeders’ Cup, Ventura covered the same distance on the same surface as the Santa Monica in a speedy 1:19.9.

Baffert and Frankel each have another entrant in the field of eight as they will saddle Tizzy’s Tune and Jibboom, respectively.

Tizzy’s Tune won three of eight starts last season, including a victory in the 6½-furlong Pine Tree Lane Stakes at Santa Anita. Grade 2 winner Jibboom has won her previous two starts, including the 6½-furlong Monrovia Handicap (G3) on January 3.

Also entered is Grade 3 winner Baroness Thatcher, who finished second to Eclipse Award finalist Intangaroo in the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor for Thoroughbred Times

Santa Monica H.