Turnerloose , a 5-year-old Nyquist mare and winner of the highest level graded stakes in the field, leads the charge of four Phil D’Amato trainees in the Wilshire Stakes (G3T) April 4 at Santa Anita Park.
Owned by Abbondanza Racing, Medallion Racing, and Ike and Dawn Thrash, Turnerloose won the 2022 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2). She hasn’t found the winner’s circle since but has found herself hitting the board in four of her 11 subsequent starts.
Thursday’s start marks her first since a distant third in the Bayakoa Stakes (G3) nearly four months ago.
The Wilshire is a slightly shorter distance than the Bayakoa. Perhaps the $100,000 race’s one-mile distance along with the time off serves her well.
“We gave her some extra time. Hopefully it will pay off,” D’Amato said. “She’s training well and should be fit and ready to go.”
Sign up for BloodHorse Daily
D’Amato’s other entrants are School Dance , who has come up short in graded company; Leisurewear , who finished fourth in the Santa Ana Stakes (G3T); and Adaay In Asia . All three are in search of their first graded victory.
A filly in the field who is knocking on the door is Nadette (FR).
The Outstrip mare has fallen just short in each of her last three starts, all graded stakes at Santa Anita. After finishing fourth, 1 1/2 lengths back in the Las Cienegas Stakes (G3T), she followed up 1 1/4 lengths back in another fourth effort in the Megahertz Stakes (G3T), and then a third by 2 1/4 lengths in the Buena Vista Stakes (G2T). She’s made seven starts at a mile in the United States but has yet to come away triumphant.
Entries: Wilshire S. (G3T)
Santa Anita Park, Thursday, April 04, 2024, Race 7
- Grade IIIT
- 1m
- Turf
- $100,000
- 4 yo’s & up Fillies and Mares
- 4:00 PM (local)
Leave feedback about this