By Jarrod Horak
The featured race at Santa Anita on Friday, June 12, is the $100,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes, a turf event for fillies and mares contested at 1¼ miles.
The race has drawn a competitive field of nine runners and several entrants appear capable of making an impact. Let’s meet the field.
#1 Watchtower
Watchtower enters the race at 6-1 on the morning line for trainer Richard Baltas. The biggest challenge with this mare is consistency. She has shown flashes of quality, including a close third-place finish in a Grade 3 earlier this year, but her recent efforts have been uneven. If she brings her best race, she can compete, but handicappers are left guessing which version will show up.
#2 Resolve
Resolve looks like a major contender in this field. Trained by Leonard Powell, she enters off a determined victory at 1⅛ miles, rallying late to get up by a head. Even more encouraging is her prior effort in a Grade 3 at Santa Anita, where she narrowly missed while racing at this same 1¼-mile distance.
The added ground appears to suit her perfectly. Her recent form is strong, and she has already proven she can handle both the class level and the distance. With another forward effort, Resolve has every chance to add a stakes victory to her resume.
#3 Innovative
Phil D’Amato’s Innovative has the talent to compete here but enters with questions after finishing eighth in each of her last two Grade 3 appearances. Earlier in her career, she showed versatility by winning at distances ranging from 6½ furlongs to 1⅛ miles. If she can recapture that earlier form, she becomes dangerous, but recent performances leave some uncertainty.
#4 The Mizen Queen
The Mizen Queen has been competitive in recent starts, finishing fourth and third in back-to-back optional claiming races at 1⅛ miles. While she has been relatively consistent, her recent speed figures suggest she may need to improve to match the top contenders in this stakes field.
#5 Ulysses Rose
One of the more intriguing runners in the race, Ulysses Rose remains a maiden but has shown promise in limited starts. She finished third in both of her U.S. appearances this year, including a respectable effort in a stakes race at 1½ miles. The return of leading rider Juan Hernandez is a positive sign, and as a lightly raced filly, she may still have significant upside.
#6 Dreaming of Abba
Dreaming of Abba ships in from Florida after a runner-up finish in a turf stakes race at Gulfstream Park. While she has demonstrated ability at shorter distances, she now faces a tougher group and must prove she can handle the 1¼-mile trip against stronger competition.
#7 Cailin Dana
Cailin Dana comes off a strong second-place finish in a 1½-mile stakes race at Santa Anita and has previously won at extended distances. The concern is whether the cutback to 1¼ miles works against her. Her recent form is encouraging, but this distance may not be ideal.
#8 Hey Jessie
The morning-line favorite deserves plenty of respect. Hey Jessie is coming off a stakes victory at 1½ miles and owns a previous win at the 1¼-mile distance over the Santa Anita turf course. Her speed figures compare favorably with the best runners in the field, and if she repeats her latest performance, she will be difficult to beat.
#9 Kentucky Gal
Kentucky Gal may be capable of outrunning her odds if she improves in her second start off the layoff. Her first race back was disappointing, but her past performances include both a victory and a runner-up finish at this distance. She possesses the back class to contend, though she may need one more race before reaching peak form.