Looking to Smoke Field

Before she switched to the turf, Smokin’ Charlotte hadn’t done much to distinguish herself.

The chestnut daughter of Red Bishop had only one win in her first eight races, the victory coming against a weak field of California-bred maidens on Dec. 22, 2000, at Hollywood Park.

After running fourth and sixth on the dirt in her first two races after being moved to the barn of John Sadler, Smokin’ Charlotte tried the grass for the first time Dec. 30.

Turf did not look like it was going to be the answer. She finished fifth that day, beaten by nearly six lengths at 26-1.

In four races since, she has two wins and a nose loss. She was sixth in her other grass outing on March 31 but was beaten by only two lengths after a very troubled trip.

Owned by a partnership that includes her breeders (Fast Lane Farms), Smokin’ Charlotte became a stakes winner for the first time when she won the Fran’s Valentine on April 28 at Hollywood Park and she’ll be favored to add another stakes win in tonight’s $75,000 Valkyr.

Restricted to California-bred fillies and mares, the Valkyr is one mile and Smokin’ Charlotte will win if she duplicates her last race. She was held back early by jockey Victor Espinoza, who has the mount tonight, then took over early in the stretch and went on to win by 3 1/2 lengths.

The field for the Valkyr is completed by comebackers Mind For Gold, who has been away since Sept. 27; Castling, who was last seen finishing third on the Santa Anita main track on Feb. 6, longshot Meteor Game and recent turf winners Proud Tammie and Exclusiveandcatty.

Race of the day: Bella Bellucci, proclaimed by some the best 3-year-old filly in the land even though she has failed in both of her Grade I appearances, makes her first start since her flop in the Acorn on June 7 in today’s eighth at Belmont Park. The French Deputy filly will be ridden by Jerry Bailey in the 1 1/8-mile allowance race.

Who’s hot: Alex Solis. The jockey won four more races Wednesday at Hollywood Park to continue his late-season surge. He is winning at better than a 25% clip.

Who’s not: John Quiles. The New York-based trainer is 0 for 38 in 2002.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Spunky Gal, Re Vote and Bully’s Del Mar in the fifth, singling Unchain The Stars in the sixth and Smokin’ Charlotte in the seventh and using Chinois, Panther Quick, Bet On Brad, Saxmeamemo, Stanleojackteddie and Star Of Stage in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/163. Money: Previous day/meet total: $6.60/$923.40. Total money bet: $1,066.