Above Perfection out of Gold Rush

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Apr. 22, 2002) – Above Perfection, a stakes winner on dirt and turf and the expected favorite for Sunday’s $150,000 B. Thoughtful Stakes, has been given a break in training and will not run.

The B. Thoughtful, for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs, is one of 10 races on the $1.26 million California Gold Rush III card for California-breds at Hollywood Park. Entries for all 10 races will be taken Thursday.

Above Perfection won the Mar. 16 Irish O’Brien Stakes, her first try on turf. She has won six of eight lifetime starts, including the Grade III Las Flores Handicap. She is a daughter of In Excess, out of the Somethingfabulous mare Something Perfect, and was bred by Old English Rancho.

Despite the defection of Above Perfection, the B. Thoughtful remains one of the most contentious races on the card.
Go Go, out eight months with an ankle injury continues to train well for her comeback, moving seven furlongs Sunday at Santa Anita in 1:25.20. Song of the Moment, third to Above Perfection in the Irish O’Brien, posted a bullet 58.60 five-furlong drill Friday at Santa Anita, the same day Favorite Funtime worked 1:00.80.

Favorite Funtime, who beat Spain in the Santa Maria Handicap, also is double-nominated for the $175,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes, as is Warren’s Whistle (who worked seven furlongs Friday), Evening Meeting and Sterling Idea.

Others expected for the B. Thoughtful, are Comedy Class, Harvest Girl, Lighten Up Tiny (a 59.80 workout Wednesday), Song of Summer and Storm Kisu.

Others expected for the Fran’s Valentine Stakes, at 1 1/16 miles on the turf for older fillies and mares, are Smokin’ Charlotte, Stefandrew, Stetson Lady, Super Tuesday (58.80 work Sunday at Golden Gate) and Yes We Do. 

The day’s main event is the $250,000 Cal Fed Bank Snow Chief Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, and a full field is expected. Among the contenders training up to the race are California Goal, Gobi Dan, Calkins Road, Duddly Doo Run, Enorme, Gobi Dan, Groom on the Run, Highly Suspect, Hot War, Menacing Dennis and Modernist.

In the $200,000 Melair Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles, the decision of graded stakes winner Bella Bella Bella’s new trainer, Neil Drysdale, is anxiously awaited. She posted a 1:26.00 workout for seven furlongs Monday, which would put her on schedule to race Sunday.

The improving Super High appears ready to take on Bella Bella Bella after working six furlongs in 1:13.00 Thursday at Santa Anita. Multiple stakes winner Daddy’s Gold, who was doubtful anyway, is out after bleeding in the San Jose Stakes Saturday and will need some time off. But sprinter Icantgoforthat worked a mile last week and appears pointed for the Melair, as do Bob’s Lady, Calzada Kid, Exzacta Max, Ladylore and Nicole’s Pursuit.

Spinelessjellyfish worked five furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita last week in preparation for his title defense in the $175,000 TVG Khaled Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the grass, but he will find a full field awaiting him. Hugh Hefner could go favored after his Crystal Water win, while former claimer Fit for a King is on a seven-race win streak and Stormy Jack, who won the Nov. 22 On Trust Handicap.

Old warhorse and millionaire Native Desert tuned up with a six-furlong work Wednesday, Revelling went 59.80 for five furlongs at Hollywood Park Sunda and Lily’s Lad is likely to go although he hasn’t been winning lately. Flying Rudolph and Eric Da Bomb are nominated to the TVG Khaled and the Quicken Tree.

Expected to be shipping in for the TVG Khaled from Northern California are Jerry Hollendorfer’s Ninebanks and Gil Matos’ Takin In Deep.

The 1 ½-mile Quicken Tree Stakes on the turf was weakened when defending champion Ringaskiddy, Continental Red and Speedy Pick opted for Sunday’s San Juan Capistrano, a wise move for winner Ringaskiddy. That leaves this race as wide open as any. In addition to Flying Rudolph and Eric Da Bomb, among those expected are Adminniestrator, Our Main Man, White Cloud and Soul Warrior, a former claimer who scratched out of the San Juan Capistrano.