Full Field of 13 Set for Grade 3 Providencia

Entrechat (4/1) is an intriguing stretch-out sprinter for trainer Neil Drysdale after two maiden voyages down the hill at Santa Anita.  Entrechat was defeated just a neck in her career debut against maiden special weight runners at six and a half furlongs and returned a little over a month later on February 14 under identical conditions to win by 4 ½ lengths.  In both starts, the Giant’s Causeway filly faced large fields – 10 and 11 respectively- while overcoming moderate traffic to make her rally.  Drysdale does not boast excellent numbers with his sprint to route runners (6%), but Entrechat does have the pedigree to excel at longer distances. 

Hidden form on Lady Zuzu

Lady Zuzu (6/1) has a combination of appealing handicapping virtues in this spot.  The daughter of legendary turf and stamina influence Dyanformer, has a pedigree that suggests the 1 1/8 mile distance is right up her alley and possesses an abundance of natural speed in a race without much pace.  In four career starts, Lady Zuzu has tanked twice on the dirt, but has a third place effort sprinting on the grass to go with a dominant 6 ¼ length win in her only route try on turf last October at Keeneland. Jockey Tyler Baze should have Lady Zuzu in contention from the start.

Spanish Queen tries stakes foes  

Spanish Queen (6/1) won with aplomb in her debut, crushing state-bred maiden special weight foes by 5 ¾ lengths under jockey Brice Blanc March 5 at Santa Anita.  The Richard Baltas trainee will have to navigate another furlong and much stiffer competition, however, to have a say in the Providencia.