Double Bar S Ranch’s Budderhomesngarden, the winner of the Grade 3 Abigail Kawananakoa Stakes on June 14, makes a quick turnaround for trainer Elena Andrade to headline the $13,500 feature at 110 yards on Saturday at Los Alamitos.
To be ridden by Cesar Franco, the six-time winner makes her comeback start after running a strong fourth last Saturday in the (G1) Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap.
“The quick turnaround is because not often does she get to run short and against fillies since she has run through her conditions,” Andrade said. “I told (her owners) that with their horses I’ve been lucky enough to have the versatility to go short or long with them. Jessica Cruz, Cuz Lightyear and Budderhomesngarden have been solid at any distance.”
The very quick Budderhomesngarden was among the top three during the early part of the Millie and finished nicely in the 400 yard race. This much shorter distance in right up her alley, as she’s a two-time winner at this distance over the past 12 months and her win in the Abigail was at 350. The First Down Dash mare will start from the outside post five.
“Budderhomesngarden has the mentality to (bring) her right back,” Andrade added. “I thought about putting Jessica Cruz right back as well, but mentally I think it would get her so much more amped up for future races and it could cause more problems (for her) in the gates. But Jessica Cruz outbroke the (Mildred Vessels) field easily. I just don’t want to take that gamble of trying to calm her down for the next race.”
Saturday’s field will also feature Parsons Ranch’s Phoebes Baby Girl, who ran in the Florentine Stakes in her last out, Trending Right, who faced males in the A Ransom last year, recent 110-yard winner Jazzy Girl and 2024 La Pacifica Handicap winner Ecstatik.
