By Joe Bianca
Qatar Racing's Hidden Message (Scat Daddy), a stakes winner overseas and Grade I placed in her U.S. debut, will likely go off as a deserving favorite in Saturday's GIII Autumn Miss S. at Santa Anita, but her margin for error is slim, as several other contenders are primed to pounce in a full 12-horse field with one more on the also-eligible list.
A debut winner last summer at Yarmouth in Great Britain, the $150,000 KEESEP grad was then fifth as the favorite in the G3 Godolphin Oh So Sharp S. in her season finale at Newmarket. Fourth in the G2 Prix de Sandringham second out this year June 2 at Chantilly, the dark bay came through as the chalk in the Coral Distaff S. July 6 at Sandown Park.
Transferred from William Haggas to Simon Callaghan's barn, Hidden Message ran a big second at 9-1 in the Aug. 17 Del Mar Oaks, beaten only by returning GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. heroine Cambier Parc (Medaglia d'Oro). Her effort was further flattered when third finisher Lady Prancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) came back to upset the GIII Pin Oak Valley View S. last week at Keeneland.
Florida shipper Great Sister Diane (Will Take Charge) has proven a shrewd claim for Robert Slack and trainer Rohan Crichton and looks for her second straight stakes tally. Haltered for $35,000 out of a maiden-breaking effort May 10 at Gulfstream, the chestnut was given a brief respite and cruised in a $35,000 claimer July 28. Fourth after dealing with significant traffic trouble when stepped into stakes company in the Miss Gracie S. Sept. 14 at Gulfstream, she wheeled back two weeks later and overcame the 14-post to upset the Monroe S. at 17-1.
George Krikorian's Mucho Unusual (Mucho Macho Man) tries to bounce back after suffering her first defeat over turf. Upsetting the state-bred California Cup Oaks in her grass bow Feb. 18 at Santa Anita, she repeated in an open optional claimer there June 16 before rallying furiously to get up by a neck in the GII San Clemente S. July 20 at Del Mar. Chasing a quick pace in the nine-furlong Del Mar Oaks, she backed up to finish seventh, but cuts back to the one-mile distance that produced her other three surface wins.
Tommy Town Thoroughbreds' Keeper Ofthe Stars (Midnight Lute) will attempt to break through against graded company. A winner of three in a row this spring at Golden Gate, the gray was fourth in the San Clemente and filled the same slot in the Del Mar Oaks in a deceptively good effort, as she was the only runner near the pace to stick around for a minor award. Back at her NorCal home base, she easily annexed a Sept. 20 allowance while earning a career-high 88 Beyer, tied for best in this field.
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