Velvet Mesquite Headlines Field for $100,000 Irish O'Brien Stakes

Velvet Mesquite has been tabbed as the morning line favorite at odds of 9-5 in the field of seven for trainer Blake Heap. A five-year-old daughter of In Excess (IRE), she has won five of her twelve career starts, all of which have come at Santa Anita. She was last seen finishing fourth in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint and was third in the Monrovia (G2) against open company in her other start this year. Mike Smith will remain aboard from post position six.

Go West Marie shooting for third straight win

Second choice at 2-1 on the morning line is Go West Marie for trainer Eddie Truman.  A four-year-old daughter of Western Fame, she is a five-time career winner and has been on the board in all five starts over the Santa Anita lawn. She made her seasonal debut a winning one in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint last time out and is going for her third straight victory. Gary Stevens will be aboard from post position four.

Stakes debut and cut back in distance for Demonica

Also in the field at morning line odds of 6-1 is Demonica for trainer John Sadler. A four-year-old daughter of First Defence, she will be making her stakes debut and has won two of her eight career starts. She is trying to rebound after finishing fourth after setting the pace against optional claiming company and will be cutting back to a sprint after racing around two turns in her last four starts. Joe Talamo, her regular rider, will be aboard from post two.