Dream Tree Tough to Deny in Las Virgenes

Since 2007, no fewer than six champions–past and future, alike–have had their picture taken following the running of the Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita Park. Whether Phoenix Thoroughbreds' Dream Tree (Uncle Mo) proves talented enough to include a group that includes Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy), Stardom Bound (Tapit), Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision), Beholder (Henny Hughes), Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) and Unique Bella (Tapit) remains to be seen, but the bay is certain to start as a prohibitive favorite in this first step on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks.

Purchased by Kerri Radcliffe for $750,000 out of last year's Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale, the bay narrowly defeated future GSW Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) by the minimum margin in an Oct. 27 maiden and in the Desi Arnaz S. at Del Mar Nov. 18, then proved she could negotiate a distance of ground when a stalk-and-pounce 3 1/4-length winner of the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Dec. 9. Dream Tree was also an $80,000 Keeneland November weanling and $225,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling.

The cleverly named Steph Being Steph (Majestic Warrior) could give the favorite a tussle if she handles Sunday's extra real estate. Winner of the Golden Gate Debutante over the Tapeta track in late November, the bay made her sophomore debut as a 25-1 outsider in the GII Santa Ynez S. Jan. 7, but outran those odds to finish a good second to Midnight Bisou.

Thirteen Squared is a product of two horses successfully campaigned by Arnold Zetcher, being by his 2011 GI CashCall Futuruty winner Liaison and out of the multiple graded-stakes winning filly House of Fortune (Free House). The dark bay was placed once from three starts over sprint trips to begin her career, but most recently belied odds of 10-1 to graduate by nearly seven lengths when trying a mile for the first time at Los Alamitos Dec. 7. Tyler Baze will try to kick her straight into the lead from gate one, but will have other speed to her outside to deal with.