Import Analysis with Steven Bonnick– Saturday, February 27

Kalifornia Queen – 2/27/21 – R13 Gulfstream – 1 3/16 – Turf – Grade 3

4-year-old Lope De Vega filly, formerly trained by Henk Grewe. Sire has done well in US turf races. A winner on debut at Dusseldorf, Kalifornia Queen quickly made up into a pretty smart performer, scoring at Hoppegarten in a trial for the German Oaks on just her third start. She went onto finish fifth in the Oaks itself, doing her best work late on over the 11 furlong trip, looking as though she would stay further in line with her breeding. She was nudged up to a mile and seven for her next start in the Prix du Lutece, a Group 3 in France, but even over that extreme distance she didn’t look quick enough when they started to sprint in that contest. Her final start in Europe was in the Prix de Royallieu, a Group 1, in which she finished sixth on heavy ground. She probably ran as well as could be expected there, but once again looked as though stamina was her strong suit. She appears to fit nicely enough at this level on form and ability but Kalifornia Queen will need to have found some extra zip if she is to strike at this sort of distance, although a bullet workout at the start of the month bodes well.