By Jay Privman
Daily Racing Form
ARCADIA, Calif. -- Trainer Julio Canani is leaving nothing to chance with Spring House in the Grade 2, $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday. Canani has brought back Spring House in another 1 1/2-mile grass race, following his victory in last month's San Luis Obispo Handicap. Alex Solis is riding again. Much of the competition is the same, too. And Canani will make sure he has the same clothes and accessories - shirt, pants, computer.
"I've got to get the girl to bring the computer," Canani said Thursday morning at Santa Anita.
The computer bag of teenager Jackie Licht has become Canani's good-luck charm. He phoned Licht's father, Roger, on Thursday morning, imploring him to bring his daughter to the track on Saturday, computer bag in tow. Canani couldn't remember what he wore for the San Luis Obispo, but said he would look at the winner's circle photo from that race to make sure he has the same pants and shirt Saturday.
All this wouldn't matter, though, if Spring House wasn't the goods. But he is. He owns three wins on Santa Anita's turf course, all at 1 1/2 miles. He split horses in the stretch drive to win the San Luis Obispo on Feb. 22.
"He's a mile-and-a-half horse," Canani said.
Bonjour, who was fourth in the San Luis Obispo, and Medici Code, who was fifth, are back to challenge Spring House again. But his main rivals figure to be You Got Me Rocking, who should control the early pace, and Artiste Royal, who beat Spring House in the San Marcos Handicap on Jan. 19 before shortening up in the Kilroe Mile two weeks ago.
You Got Me Rocking, who drew the rail, comes off a front-running win over a second-level allowance field going 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 26. This will be his first start at 1 1/2 miles.
Artiste Royal is an accomplished long-distance grass horse, but he showed his versatility last time with a deceptively good fifth-place finish in the Kilroe. Despite being instructed by trainer Neil Drysdale to stay outside, jockey Rafael Bejarano got Artiste Royal caught inside horses on the final turn, and he could not get free in time. Bejarano is back aboard with a chance to make amends.
Midships was fourth as the odds-on favorite when facing You Got Me Rocking last time, but he was third in last fall's Hollywood Derby. His trainer, Bobby Frankel, said Midships resented being rated in his last start.
"He should be laying second to You Got Me Rocking," Frankel said.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Kentucky Derby Prep Races: Rushaway & Lane’s End Stakes Entries at Turfway Park March 21
The 2009 Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Trail heads to Turfway Park this Saturday with the $100,000 Rushaway Stakes at 1 1/16 miles and $500,000 Lane’s End Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles for Kentucky Derby hopefuls.
Both the Rushaway and Lane’s End Stakes are prep races for the Kentucky Derby 135 to be held on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Turfway’s Lane’s End Stakes entries with jockeys all carrying 121 pounds in post position order:
Hold Me Back under jockey Kent Desormeaux
Bittel Road under jockey Garrett Gomez
A. P. Cardinal under jockey Cornelio Velasquez
West Side Bernie under jockey Edgar Prado
Jack Spratt under jockey Julien Leparoux
Parade Clown under jockey Eibar Coa
Bruce N Autumn under jockey Victor Lebron
Orthodox under jockey Jesus Lopez Castanon
Loch Dubh under jockey Calvin Borel
Flying Private under jockey Israel Ocampo
Dynamite Bob under jockey Manfredi Guzman
Proceed Bee under jockey Rodney Prescott
The Lane’s End Stakes is race 10 in Turfway Park’s March 21 card. Lane’s End Stakes post time is 5:43 pm.
Rushaway Stakes
Turfway Park’s Rushaway Stakes entries with jockeys and weight line up as follows:
Ninth Client under jockey Israel Ocampo carries 115 lbs.
Ziegfeld under jockey Garrett Gomez, 115 lbs.
Fitzaslew under jockey Kent Desormeaux, 115 lbs.
Cliffy’s Future under jockey Jesus Lopez Castanon, 115 lbs.
No Inflation under jockey Cornelio Velasquez, 117 lbs.
Summer’s Empire under jockey Edgar Prado, 121 lbs.
Sundays Baby Grand under jockey Eddie Zuniga, 115 lbs.
Toccet Rocket under jockey Thomas Pompell, 115 lbs.
The Rushaway Stakes is race 9 in Turfway Park’s March 21 card. Rushaway Stakes post time is 5:11 pm.
Both the Rushaway and Lane’s End Stakes are prep races for the Kentucky Derby 135 to be held on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Turfway’s Lane’s End Stakes entries with jockeys all carrying 121 pounds in post position order:
Hold Me Back under jockey Kent Desormeaux
Bittel Road under jockey Garrett Gomez
A. P. Cardinal under jockey Cornelio Velasquez
West Side Bernie under jockey Edgar Prado
Jack Spratt under jockey Julien Leparoux
Parade Clown under jockey Eibar Coa
Bruce N Autumn under jockey Victor Lebron
Orthodox under jockey Jesus Lopez Castanon
Loch Dubh under jockey Calvin Borel
Flying Private under jockey Israel Ocampo
Dynamite Bob under jockey Manfredi Guzman
Proceed Bee under jockey Rodney Prescott
The Lane’s End Stakes is race 10 in Turfway Park’s March 21 card. Lane’s End Stakes post time is 5:43 pm.
Rushaway Stakes
Turfway Park’s Rushaway Stakes entries with jockeys and weight line up as follows:
Ninth Client under jockey Israel Ocampo carries 115 lbs.
Ziegfeld under jockey Garrett Gomez, 115 lbs.
Fitzaslew under jockey Kent Desormeaux, 115 lbs.
Cliffy’s Future under jockey Jesus Lopez Castanon, 115 lbs.
No Inflation under jockey Cornelio Velasquez, 117 lbs.
Summer’s Empire under jockey Edgar Prado, 121 lbs.
Sundays Baby Grand under jockey Eddie Zuniga, 115 lbs.
Toccet Rocket under jockey Thomas Pompell, 115 lbs.
The Rushaway Stakes is race 9 in Turfway Park’s March 21 card. Rushaway Stakes post time is 5:11 pm.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Mafaaz earns Derby berth in blanket finish
Alan Shuback, Daily Racing Form
Wearing blinkers for the first time in his brief career, Mafaaz barely outlasted Spring of Fame in a desperate finish to the $115,000 Kentucky Derby Challenge at Kempton Park on Wednesday night to earn himself a place in the Run for the Roses, but he could go first in the Blue Grass Stakes on a Polytrack surface similar to that at Kempton.
Placed just behind the slow pace of eventual third-place finisher Sohcahtoa in the early going, the 11-2 Mafaaz led under Richard Hills at the sixteenth pole, running as if he were late for the flight to Louisville. Spring of Fame, however, was flying on the outside, but his run fell a neck short with Sohcahtoa finishing a head in front of fourth-place Mastery. Haashed, the 9-4 favorite, prompted the early pace but weakened to finish last of 14. Both Mafaaz and Haashed are owned by Sheikh Hamdan al-Maktoum's Shadwell Stud.
Students of American form will have noted that Mafaaz finished just two lengths fifth in the Tattersalls Million in his last start, on Oct. 4, behind subsequent Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Donativum. Trained by John Gosden - like Donativum was at that time - Mafaaz had previously won a seven-furlong maiden over the same Kempton Polytrack as the Derby Challenge. He covered the 1 1/8 miles on the right-handed oval on Wednesday night in a pedestrian 1:55.17.
The Derby Challenge throws up a number of questions 45 days before the Kentucky Derby. With less than three-quarters of a length separating the first four, doubt can be cast on the quality of Mafaaz's victory. There is, however, evidence that he will stay 1 1/4 miles, as his sire, Medicean, won the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at that distance on turf. He is also out of a mare by the great Danehill, whose offsrping get anything between six furlongs and 1 1/2 miles. The Derby, however, would be Mafaaz's first start on dirt.
"I've got an eye on the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, which would provide him with a big opportunity ahead of the Derby," Gosden told The Sporting Life website. "If we don't get in that race, he'll go straight to Churchill. The blinkers have helped - he's always lacked a bit of focus - and he's a tough cookie. He's not a pussycat but has got the right attitude."
Wearing blinkers for the first time in his brief career, Mafaaz barely outlasted Spring of Fame in a desperate finish to the $115,000 Kentucky Derby Challenge at Kempton Park on Wednesday night to earn himself a place in the Run for the Roses, but he could go first in the Blue Grass Stakes on a Polytrack surface similar to that at Kempton.
Placed just behind the slow pace of eventual third-place finisher Sohcahtoa in the early going, the 11-2 Mafaaz led under Richard Hills at the sixteenth pole, running as if he were late for the flight to Louisville. Spring of Fame, however, was flying on the outside, but his run fell a neck short with Sohcahtoa finishing a head in front of fourth-place Mastery. Haashed, the 9-4 favorite, prompted the early pace but weakened to finish last of 14. Both Mafaaz and Haashed are owned by Sheikh Hamdan al-Maktoum's Shadwell Stud.
Students of American form will have noted that Mafaaz finished just two lengths fifth in the Tattersalls Million in his last start, on Oct. 4, behind subsequent Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Donativum. Trained by John Gosden - like Donativum was at that time - Mafaaz had previously won a seven-furlong maiden over the same Kempton Polytrack as the Derby Challenge. He covered the 1 1/8 miles on the right-handed oval on Wednesday night in a pedestrian 1:55.17.
The Derby Challenge throws up a number of questions 45 days before the Kentucky Derby. With less than three-quarters of a length separating the first four, doubt can be cast on the quality of Mafaaz's victory. There is, however, evidence that he will stay 1 1/4 miles, as his sire, Medicean, won the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at that distance on turf. He is also out of a mare by the great Danehill, whose offsrping get anything between six furlongs and 1 1/2 miles. The Derby, however, would be Mafaaz's first start on dirt.
"I've got an eye on the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, which would provide him with a big opportunity ahead of the Derby," Gosden told The Sporting Life website. "If we don't get in that race, he'll go straight to Churchill. The blinkers have helped - he's always lacked a bit of focus - and he's a tough cookie. He's not a pussycat but has got the right attitude."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Pimlico Spring Stakes Schedule Announced
The Maryland Jockey Club announced the 2009 Pimlico spring stakes schedule after reaching agreement with both the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Maryland Horse Breeders Association. The Pimlico schedule was approved by the Maryland Racing Commission at its monthly meeting.
The headline event of the six-week stand that begins Saturday, April 18 is the 134th running of the $1-million Preakness Stakes (G1), the middle jewel of the famed Triple Crown, on May 16. The 20-day meeting at the historic Baltimore track will conclude Saturday, May 23.
The marquee meet of the Maryland racing season will feature 21 stakes races for purses of $2.62 million. Sixteen of the added-money races, including all 9 of the graded stakes for the meet, are slated for Preakness week, including nine on Preakness Day.
Preakness weekend features 16 stakes races for more than $2.3 million. The Friday, May 15 card features 7 stakes races, 8 for fillies and mares, highlighted by the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies.
“We are always thrilled to go back to Pimlico in the spring,” said Tom Chuckas, Maryland Jockey Club president and chief operating officer. “Despite the current climate we felt it was important to keep the stakes schedule strong, especially Preakness weekend when the best of the best come to town.”
For the third time this decade the Pimlico Special (G1) has been put on a 1-year hiatus due to a purse shortage. Introduced by Alfred Vanderbilt in 1937, the Pimlico Special was the first major stakes race in the United States by invitation only. The 1938 running played host to one of America’s most historic moments when Seabiscuit upset War Admiral in the famed match race. The long-awaited winner-take-all showdown was named “Race of the Century” by Sports Illustrated in 1999 and forever immortalized in the movie Seabiscuit in 2003.
The Pimlico Special was also cancelled in 2002 and 2007 for similar reasons.
However the William Donald Schaefer Handicap (G3) returns after not being carded a year ago. The $100,000 test for older horses at 1-1/8 miles has been a staple on the Preakness undercard since 1991. The conditions of the race are comparable to the Pimlico Special.
Other newsworthy changes include suspension of the Barbaro Stakes, a $100,000 race for 3-year olds on the Preakness undercard and moving of the Tesio Stakes from opening weekend to Kentucky Derby day. The 1-1/8 mile test on the main track has been a springboard to the Preakness for such horses as Deputed Testamony (1983), Oliver’s Twist (1995) and Magic Weisner (2002).
The opening day of spring stand features a pair of Maryland-bred stakes races for fillies and mares.
First post for 27 days of the meeting will be 1:10 p.m. with adjustments on Preakness (10:15 a.m.), Black-Eyed Susan (12:15 p.m.) and Kentucky Derby (12:45 p.m.) days.
The Pimlico stable area re-opens for training on April 1. It will close on June 6.
The current Laurel Park winter meeting will conclude its 15-week run on April 11.
2009 Pimlico Spring Stakes Schedule
Date Stakes Grade Conditions Distance Purse
18-Apr Hookedonthefeelin 3YO fillies (MD-breds) 5 furlongs (T) 50,000
18-Apr Geisha F & M 3&UP (MD-breds) 1 1/16 mile 50,000
25-Apr Henry Clark 3 & UP 1 mile (T) 75,000
2-May Federico Tesio 3 YO 1 1/8 mile 75,000
15-May Black-Eyed Susan II 3 YO Fillies 1 1/8 mile 150,000
15-May Adena Stallions’ Miss Preakness III 3 YO Fillies 6 furlongs 100,000
15-May Jim McKay Turf Sprint 3 & UP 5 furlongs (T) 100,000
15-May Hilltop 3 YO Fillies 1 1/16 mile (T) 50,000
15-May The Very One F & M 3 & UP 5 furlongs (T) 50,000
15-May Skipat F & M 3 & UP 6 furlongs 50,000
15-May Kattegat’s Pride F & M 3 & UP (MD breds) 1 1/16 mile 35,000
16-May Preakness I 3 YO 1 3/16 mile 1,000,000
16-May Dixie II 3 & UP 1 1/8 mile (T) 150,000
16-May Allair duPont Distaff II F & M 3 & UP 1 1/16 mile 150,000
16-May William Donald Schaefer III 3 & UP 1 1/16 mile 100,000
16-May Maryland Sprint III 3 & UP 6 furlongs 100,000
16-May Hirsch Jacobs III 3 YO 6 furlongs 100,000
16-May Gallorette III F & M 3 & UP 1 1/16 mile (T) 100,000
16-May Woodlawn 3 YO 1 mile (T) 50,000
16-May Deputed Testamony 3 & UP (MD breds) 1 1/16 mile 35,000
23-May Shine Again F & M 3 & UP (MD-breds) 1 1/16 mile 50,000
21 stakes (9 graded) 2,620,000
Horse racing news edited from www.pimlico.com.
The headline event of the six-week stand that begins Saturday, April 18 is the 134th running of the $1-million Preakness Stakes (G1), the middle jewel of the famed Triple Crown, on May 16. The 20-day meeting at the historic Baltimore track will conclude Saturday, May 23.
The marquee meet of the Maryland racing season will feature 21 stakes races for purses of $2.62 million. Sixteen of the added-money races, including all 9 of the graded stakes for the meet, are slated for Preakness week, including nine on Preakness Day.
Preakness weekend features 16 stakes races for more than $2.3 million. The Friday, May 15 card features 7 stakes races, 8 for fillies and mares, highlighted by the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies.
“We are always thrilled to go back to Pimlico in the spring,” said Tom Chuckas, Maryland Jockey Club president and chief operating officer. “Despite the current climate we felt it was important to keep the stakes schedule strong, especially Preakness weekend when the best of the best come to town.”
For the third time this decade the Pimlico Special (G1) has been put on a 1-year hiatus due to a purse shortage. Introduced by Alfred Vanderbilt in 1937, the Pimlico Special was the first major stakes race in the United States by invitation only. The 1938 running played host to one of America’s most historic moments when Seabiscuit upset War Admiral in the famed match race. The long-awaited winner-take-all showdown was named “Race of the Century” by Sports Illustrated in 1999 and forever immortalized in the movie Seabiscuit in 2003.
The Pimlico Special was also cancelled in 2002 and 2007 for similar reasons.
However the William Donald Schaefer Handicap (G3) returns after not being carded a year ago. The $100,000 test for older horses at 1-1/8 miles has been a staple on the Preakness undercard since 1991. The conditions of the race are comparable to the Pimlico Special.
Other newsworthy changes include suspension of the Barbaro Stakes, a $100,000 race for 3-year olds on the Preakness undercard and moving of the Tesio Stakes from opening weekend to Kentucky Derby day. The 1-1/8 mile test on the main track has been a springboard to the Preakness for such horses as Deputed Testamony (1983), Oliver’s Twist (1995) and Magic Weisner (2002).
The opening day of spring stand features a pair of Maryland-bred stakes races for fillies and mares.
First post for 27 days of the meeting will be 1:10 p.m. with adjustments on Preakness (10:15 a.m.), Black-Eyed Susan (12:15 p.m.) and Kentucky Derby (12:45 p.m.) days.
The Pimlico stable area re-opens for training on April 1. It will close on June 6.
The current Laurel Park winter meeting will conclude its 15-week run on April 11.
2009 Pimlico Spring Stakes Schedule
Date Stakes Grade Conditions Distance Purse
18-Apr Hookedonthefeelin 3YO fillies (MD-breds) 5 furlongs (T) 50,000
18-Apr Geisha F & M 3&UP (MD-breds) 1 1/16 mile 50,000
25-Apr Henry Clark 3 & UP 1 mile (T) 75,000
2-May Federico Tesio 3 YO 1 1/8 mile 75,000
15-May Black-Eyed Susan II 3 YO Fillies 1 1/8 mile 150,000
15-May Adena Stallions’ Miss Preakness III 3 YO Fillies 6 furlongs 100,000
15-May Jim McKay Turf Sprint 3 & UP 5 furlongs (T) 100,000
15-May Hilltop 3 YO Fillies 1 1/16 mile (T) 50,000
15-May The Very One F & M 3 & UP 5 furlongs (T) 50,000
15-May Skipat F & M 3 & UP 6 furlongs 50,000
15-May Kattegat’s Pride F & M 3 & UP (MD breds) 1 1/16 mile 35,000
16-May Preakness I 3 YO 1 3/16 mile 1,000,000
16-May Dixie II 3 & UP 1 1/8 mile (T) 150,000
16-May Allair duPont Distaff II F & M 3 & UP 1 1/16 mile 150,000
16-May William Donald Schaefer III 3 & UP 1 1/16 mile 100,000
16-May Maryland Sprint III 3 & UP 6 furlongs 100,000
16-May Hirsch Jacobs III 3 YO 6 furlongs 100,000
16-May Gallorette III F & M 3 & UP 1 1/16 mile (T) 100,000
16-May Woodlawn 3 YO 1 mile (T) 50,000
16-May Deputed Testamony 3 & UP (MD breds) 1 1/16 mile 35,000
23-May Shine Again F & M 3 & UP (MD-breds) 1 1/16 mile 50,000
21 stakes (9 graded) 2,620,000
Horse racing news edited from www.pimlico.com.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Win Willy, 56-1, beats Old Fashioned
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Win Willy shook up the road the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, passing heavily favored Old Fashioned in the stretch to win the Rebel Stakes in a stunning upset.
Previously unbeaten Old Fashioned was a 2-5 shot as the nine-horse field entered the starting gate, and he appeared to be in control after easily passing Silver City on the second turn. Win Willy then came up on the outside, seemingly out of nowhere, and passed Old Fashioned with room to spare.
Win Willy, trained by McLean Robertson and with Cliff Berry aboard, paid $115.60 on a $2 win bet. Old Fashioned held on for second, and Poltergeist was third.
A $2 exacta paid $320.40.
The Rebel is the second of Oaklawn Park's three Kentucky Derby preps. The series concludes with next month's Arkansas Derby.
Old Fashioned might have been the overall favorite for the Kentucky Derby before this race. He hadn't lost in four career starts, including the Southwest at Oaklawn last month. This race began almost exactly as that one had, with Silver City moving to the front and Old Fashioned chasing close behind. The first quarter-mile was over in 22.54 seconds, a quick pace which might have cost the initial leaders down the stretch.
Win Willy covered the 1 1-16 miles in 1:44.41 and finished about two lengths in front in the $300,000 race. The track was listed as good after the area received a bit of rain in recent days. It was Old Fashioned's first race on an off track.
Old Fashioned is trained by Larry Jones, whose other top 3-year-old, Friesan Fire, won convincingly in the Louisiana Derby on Saturday.
Win Willy won for the third time in four career starts, but this was the chestnut colt's first appearance in a stakes race.
It was a memorable one. Win Willy was last after a half-mile, 13 lengths behind. From there, he began running down the leaders.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
Monday, March 16, 2009
Life Is Sweet Shows Salt in 'Margarita
By Jack Shinar
Even-money choice Life Is Sweet became a grade I winner when she circled the field leaving the turn for home and mowed down the leaders through the lane to win the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) (VIDEO) by 2 1/2 lengths at Santa Anita March 14.
Pam and Martin Wygod's 4-year-old homebred daughter of Storm Cat--Sweet Life (by Kris S.) collected her third consecutive graded stakes win at the meet, completing the 1 1/8-mile journey in 1:48.71 over the Pro-Ride racing surface.
Garrett Gomez won both of the stakes on the Santa Anita card, capturing the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) aboard 3-year-old star Pioneerof the Nile earlier on the program.
Last into the far turn, Life Is Sweet was forced to alter course slightly in upper stretch behind the drifting Model but was more than capable of making up for the spot of trouble by shifting to the outside and resuming her charge. She won going away under moderate urging from Gomez.
Santa Teresita, winner of the Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I) in her last start, ran second under Joe Talamo with Model and Joel Rosario third.
Forest Melody set a lively pace -- :23.78, :47.57 and 1:11.86 -- before coming under pressure from Santa Teresita, who took over near the quarter pole with Model and Magical Fantasy in hot pursuit. Life Is Sweet, advancing off the rail from the rear of the compact pack, swung four wide into the lane and soon challenged the leaders. She was forced extra wide when Model drifted out but it had no lasting effect on the outcome.
"Going to the three eighths pole, they were spread three wide in front of me and everybody was looking back for me," Gomez said. "She was just galloping along within herself and I was confident she’d be able to quicken when I asked her. When we turned for home, Rosario (aboard Model) made a right-hand turn in front of us, so we had to deal with that, but it didn’t matter. She’s just a beautiful specimen.”
Life Is Sweet has become unbeatable since shifting to the barn of John Shirreffs on the West Coast this season. She came into her first start against mares off grade II wins in the El Encino and La Canada stakes in her two most recent tries. The victory was the fifth in 10 lifetime starts for the bay filly. She earned $180,000 to boost her career bankroll to $540,810.
“She’s been running well here," Shirreffs said. "We’ll have to discuss (the next race) with Marty (Wygod), but I don’t see anything (more at Santa Anita). He’s the boss."
Wygod, asked if she might meet undefeated champion stablemate Zenyatta, responded, “Who knows?”
She carried top weight of 120 pounds and paid $4, $2.60 and $2.10. Santa Teresita returned $3.20 and $2.40. Model was $2.20 to show.
Magical Fantasy finished fourth, followed by Modification and Forest Melody.
The Santa Margarita is the 17th stakes win this meet for Gomez. He needs two more to tie the Santa Anita meet mark of 19 stakes wins shared by Laffit Pincay Jr. (1982-83) and Corey Nakatani (1996-97).
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
Even-money choice Life Is Sweet became a grade I winner when she circled the field leaving the turn for home and mowed down the leaders through the lane to win the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) (VIDEO) by 2 1/2 lengths at Santa Anita March 14.
Pam and Martin Wygod's 4-year-old homebred daughter of Storm Cat--Sweet Life (by Kris S.) collected her third consecutive graded stakes win at the meet, completing the 1 1/8-mile journey in 1:48.71 over the Pro-Ride racing surface.
Garrett Gomez won both of the stakes on the Santa Anita card, capturing the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) aboard 3-year-old star Pioneerof the Nile earlier on the program.
Last into the far turn, Life Is Sweet was forced to alter course slightly in upper stretch behind the drifting Model but was more than capable of making up for the spot of trouble by shifting to the outside and resuming her charge. She won going away under moderate urging from Gomez.
Santa Teresita, winner of the Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I) in her last start, ran second under Joe Talamo with Model and Joel Rosario third.
Forest Melody set a lively pace -- :23.78, :47.57 and 1:11.86 -- before coming under pressure from Santa Teresita, who took over near the quarter pole with Model and Magical Fantasy in hot pursuit. Life Is Sweet, advancing off the rail from the rear of the compact pack, swung four wide into the lane and soon challenged the leaders. She was forced extra wide when Model drifted out but it had no lasting effect on the outcome.
"Going to the three eighths pole, they were spread three wide in front of me and everybody was looking back for me," Gomez said. "She was just galloping along within herself and I was confident she’d be able to quicken when I asked her. When we turned for home, Rosario (aboard Model) made a right-hand turn in front of us, so we had to deal with that, but it didn’t matter. She’s just a beautiful specimen.”
Life Is Sweet has become unbeatable since shifting to the barn of John Shirreffs on the West Coast this season. She came into her first start against mares off grade II wins in the El Encino and La Canada stakes in her two most recent tries. The victory was the fifth in 10 lifetime starts for the bay filly. She earned $180,000 to boost her career bankroll to $540,810.
“She’s been running well here," Shirreffs said. "We’ll have to discuss (the next race) with Marty (Wygod), but I don’t see anything (more at Santa Anita). He’s the boss."
Wygod, asked if she might meet undefeated champion stablemate Zenyatta, responded, “Who knows?”
She carried top weight of 120 pounds and paid $4, $2.60 and $2.10. Santa Teresita returned $3.20 and $2.40. Model was $2.20 to show.
Magical Fantasy finished fourth, followed by Modification and Forest Melody.
The Santa Margarita is the 17th stakes win this meet for Gomez. He needs two more to tie the Santa Anita meet mark of 19 stakes wins shared by Laffit Pincay Jr. (1982-83) and Corey Nakatani (1996-97).
Copyright © 2009 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friesan Fire makes it look easy
By Jay Privman
Friesan Fire has developed in an assured, steady fashion this winter, and on Saturday at Fair Grounds, he ran the best race of his career, turning what appeared to be a wide-open Louisiana Derby into a tour de force. Friesan Fire ($6.40) ran away to a 7 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $600,000 Louisiana Derby, giving him a sweep of Fair Grounds's major stakes races for 3-year-olds. He was good in the Lecomte on Jan. 10, better in the Risen Star on Feb. 7, and sensational in the Louisiana Derby.
Win Willy, 56-1, upsets Old Fashioned in Rebel
By Mary Rampellini - Posted 9:36 pm
In a stunning upset, 56-1 outsider Win Willy closed from 15 lengths back to hand Old Fashioned the first defeat of his five-race career Saturday in the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
Pioneerof the Nile gets job done
By Steve Andersen - Posted 7:25 pm
With his mind halfway on the job at hand, Pioneerof the Nile extended his stakes-winning streak to three races in Saturday's $200,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.
Musket Man goes wide to find room
By Mike Welsch - Posted 9:42 pm
Musket Man extricated himself from traffic on the final turn, then ran down the 35-1 Join in the Dance to register a neck victory in Saturday's Grade 3, $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby.
Life Is Sweet outruns Santa Margarita rivals
By Steve Andersen - Posted 9:41 pm
For the third time this year, Life Is Sweet scored an impressive stakes win at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, this time taking Sunday'sGrade 1, $300,000 Santa Margarita by 2 1/2 lengths.
Lake seeks Chapter 11 protection
By David Grening - Posted 5:01 pm
Scott Lake, who ranks seventh all-time among trainers in races won, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court earlier this month, but said it should not affect his multistate racing operation.
Bon Jovi Girl moves back to two turns
By Mary Rampellini - Posted 5:19 pm
The fact that Rachel Alexandra left town earlier this week for a start - and a win - in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks was sweet news to trainers with 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 3, $100,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park on Sunday.
It's Round 3 for Game Face and Any Limit
By Mike Welsch - Posted 5:18 pm
Sunday's $150,000 Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park is a rubber match for Game Face and Any Limit, who have split their first two meetings here this winter in the First Lady and Hurricane Bertie stakes.
Friesan Fire has developed in an assured, steady fashion this winter, and on Saturday at Fair Grounds, he ran the best race of his career, turning what appeared to be a wide-open Louisiana Derby into a tour de force. Friesan Fire ($6.40) ran away to a 7 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $600,000 Louisiana Derby, giving him a sweep of Fair Grounds's major stakes races for 3-year-olds. He was good in the Lecomte on Jan. 10, better in the Risen Star on Feb. 7, and sensational in the Louisiana Derby.
Win Willy, 56-1, upsets Old Fashioned in Rebel
By Mary Rampellini - Posted 9:36 pm
In a stunning upset, 56-1 outsider Win Willy closed from 15 lengths back to hand Old Fashioned the first defeat of his five-race career Saturday in the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
Pioneerof the Nile gets job done
By Steve Andersen - Posted 7:25 pm
With his mind halfway on the job at hand, Pioneerof the Nile extended his stakes-winning streak to three races in Saturday's $200,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.
Musket Man goes wide to find room
By Mike Welsch - Posted 9:42 pm
Musket Man extricated himself from traffic on the final turn, then ran down the 35-1 Join in the Dance to register a neck victory in Saturday's Grade 3, $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby.
Life Is Sweet outruns Santa Margarita rivals
By Steve Andersen - Posted 9:41 pm
For the third time this year, Life Is Sweet scored an impressive stakes win at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, this time taking Sunday'sGrade 1, $300,000 Santa Margarita by 2 1/2 lengths.
Lake seeks Chapter 11 protection
By David Grening - Posted 5:01 pm
Scott Lake, who ranks seventh all-time among trainers in races won, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court earlier this month, but said it should not affect his multistate racing operation.
Bon Jovi Girl moves back to two turns
By Mary Rampellini - Posted 5:19 pm
The fact that Rachel Alexandra left town earlier this week for a start - and a win - in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks was sweet news to trainers with 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 3, $100,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park on Sunday.
It's Round 3 for Game Face and Any Limit
By Mike Welsch - Posted 5:18 pm
Sunday's $150,000 Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park is a rubber match for Game Face and Any Limit, who have split their first two meetings here this winter in the First Lady and Hurricane Bertie stakes.
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