Kinza Towers Over Santa Ysabel Foes

Michael Lund Petersen's impressive grade 3 winner Kinza  towers over a field of eight 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/16-mile $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park March 9.

Entering off a breathtaking 7 1/2-length debut victory at Santa Anita Dec. 29, the New York-bred daughter of Carpe Diem   was made the even-money favorite in the Feb. 10 Las Virgenes Stakes (G3). Chased throughout by Santa Ynez Stakes (G3) winner Kopion , Kinza remained unfazed and appeared to win with something left by two lengths.

Video: Las Virgenes S. (G3)

The Santa Ysabel offers qualifying points to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale. However, Kinza will be ineligible to earn points as trainer Bob Baffert is barred from racing at Churchill Downs.

As the only entry with more than a maiden win to her name, Kinza's credentials will likely make her a heavy choice among the bettors. Yet, the race appears wide open behind her as these developing fillies will look to spring an upset.

Beerman Family Trust and Sayjay Racing's She's a Tempest  has been steadily proving herself to be a classy filly. Second to Kopion three starts back in a maiden race, she followed up by defeating fellow Santa Ysabel contender Ultimate Authority  going one mile at Santa Anita Jan. 5. Off that performance, the daughter of Connect   took a shot against Kinza and ran a solid third, beaten 3 1/2 lengths, in the Las Virgenes. Trainer Steve Knapp will add blinkers.

After losing by a head to She's a Tempest, Leslie and Pierre Amestoy and Roger Beasley's Ultimate Authority returned Feb. 2 to win by a half-length in a one-mile maiden special weight over Where's My Ring .

Despite still being a maiden, Michael McMillan's Where's My Ring has kept good company. Following a fourth in the Surfer Girl Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita, the Twirling Candy   filly took a shot at the big prize in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Nov. 3, finishing eighth. Sent back to maiden ranks by trainer Val Brinkerhoff for her next two starts, she would be defeated by Kinza before that loss to Ultimate Authority.

Entering Off Maiden Victories

• Nay V Belle  was a two-length winner on debut Feb. 18 going 6 1/2 furlongs.
• Shiloh's Mistress  ships in from Kentucky after a 3 1/2-length win going a mile at Turfway Park.
• Pacific Rose , who was fourth beaten 2 1/2 lengths in the Chandelier Stakes (G2) Oct. 7, exits a win over six furlongs Feb. 16.
• Ifuaintfirsturlast , winner of a $28,000 maiden claiming race in her first start around two turns Jan. 15, shares owner and trainer with Where's My Ring.

The Santa Ysabel will be race 6 with a post time of 3 p.m. PT.