Even with division heavyweight and 'TDN Rising Star' Unique Bella (Tapit) currently on the sidelines with a sore shin, there will still be plenty of talent on display in Saturday's GI Santa Anita Oaks.
Abel Tasman (Quality Road), heroine of last December's GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos, makes her first attempt for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert here. She finished a strong second behind the aforementioned Unique Bella while making her sophomore bow for trainer Simon Callaghan in the GIII Santa Ysabel S. most recently Mar. 4.
'TDN Rising Star' It Tiz Well (Arch), a well-beaten second behind stablemate Unique Bella in the GII Santa Ynez S. Jan. 8, has been perfect in two subsequent attempts, including while making her two-turn bow in Oaklawn's GIII Honeybee S. Mar. 11.
'TDN Rising Star' and Triple Crown nominee Paradise Woods (Union Rags) heads right to the deep end following an eye-catching 5 1/2-furlong maiden win at second asking on the GI Big 'Cap undercard. “It's a step up,” Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella said, “but I think she's a really good filly. I'm excited to see what happens.”
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