Kaleem Shah's undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Luminance (Tale of the Cat) looks to keep her perfect record intact while taking a big step up in class in Saturday's GI Santa Anita Oaks. An impressive debut winner sprinting over the Del Mar synthetic July 20, the Bob Baffert pupil was subsequently shelved for the season. Returning in Arcadia seven months later, the bay overcame a slow start and wide trip to out nose Wild at Heart (Indian Charlie) in a one-mile optional claimer Feb. 28.
John Sadler saddles the morning-line favorite in Hronis Racing's Stellar Wind (Curlin), who sprung a mild upset in the track-and-trip GIII Santa Ysabel S. in her debut for the Sadler barn last time Feb. 28. The chestnut was privately purchased from Barbara Houck following an 8 3/4-length graduation in her second start going a mile at Laurel for previous trainer Donald Barr Dec. 18.
Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer sends out the second and third-place finishers from the Santa Ysabel in Light the City (Street Sense) and Glory (Tapit). Owned by Cheyenne Stables, Light the City followed a debut win with a victory over subsequent GII Santa Ynez S. heroine Seduire (Elusive Quality) in this venue's Anoakia S. Oct. 12. Third in Del Mar's Desi Arnaz S. and fifth in the Santa Ynez Jan. 3, the bay was a close second in the GI Las Virgenes S. Jan. 31. Earning her diploma at second asking here Jan. 10, Fox Hill Farms's Glory missed by just a neck in Golden Gate's California Oaks going 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic Feb. 7, prior to finishing third in the Santa Ysabel.
Another lightly-raced 'TDN Rising Star' getting her first shot at the big leagues is Warren Williamson homebred Curlin's Fox (Curlin). The Carla Gaines pupil made an impressive six-wide run to capture her career bow sprinting over the Arcadia turf course Feb. 1. The chestnut overtook She's a Big Winner (Bellamy Road) late to finish second behind Singing Kitty (Minister's Wild Cat) in the China Doll S. going a mile on the local lawn Mar. 7, and tries dirt for the first time here.
The Peter Eurton-trained She's a Big Winner did not seem to take to the dirt when finishing 11th in her lone try over the surface last year. However, she is a two-time winner on the sod, including a victory in the Sweet Life S. here Feb. 14.
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