Shrinking Violet Seeks Repeat Monrovia Score

Wesley Ward's well-traveled Shrinking Violet will look for a repeat score in the $200,000 Monrovia Stakes (gr. IIT) Jan. 3, after taking the 2015 edition of the race a year ago.



The 6-year-old Congaree   mare, also trained by Ward, has raced at 13 different racetracks in her 20-race career, but has arguably done her best work in Southern California, including her lone graded score in the Monrovia, sprinting down the Santa Anita Park hillside turf course.



SHINAR: Shrinking Violet Steps Out in Monrovia Win



After a third-place debut finish at Hollywood Park in 2012, Shrinking Violet has a three-for-three record in Southern California, including the Monrovia and a 4 3/4-length victory in the Daisycutter Handicap Aug. 7 at Del Mar. Ward purchased Shrinking Violet as a weanling for $4,000 at the 2010 Keeneland November breeding stock sale and she is now a three-time stakes winner. She's the 4-1 second choice on the morning line for the Monrovia, just behind Lael Stables' multiple grade III winner Ageless.



A 7-year-old Successful Appeal   mare, Ageless has won back-to-back editions of the Royal North Stakes (Can-IIIT) in 2014 and 2015. The Arnaud Delacour trainee comes into the Monrovia on a two-race win streak after winning the Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes at Keeneland last time out Oct. 9



ANGST: Ageless Aims to Repeat in Royal North Stakes



Ageless has only made one appearance at Santa Anita, when she finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) in 2014.



Graded winners Prize Exhibit and Baruta also find themselves in the field of 12.



Baruta, trained by Richard Mandella, won two starts back running down the hillside turf course in the Senator Ken Maddy Stakes (gr. IIIT) Oct. 25, while Prize Exhibit—winner of the Senorita (gr. IIIT) and San Clemente (gr. IIT) at a mile—makes her first start down the Santa Anita hill.