Deal Breaker Eyes Repeat In Wednesday Mile Feature
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CAN IT REALLY BE 30 YEARS?
Opening day in Arcadia marks the 30th anniversary of Spectacular Bid's perfect 1980 Santa Anita campaign. Ridden by the legendary Bill Shoemaker, the strapping grey marched right through the Strub Series, with victories in the Malibu, San Fernando and Strub Stakes, then capped off the meeting with a romp in the Santa Anita Handicap. For your viewing pleasure, here's Spectacular Bid's world-record setting triumph in the Charles H. Strub Stakes.
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SANTA ANITA HANDICAPPER LINEUP
Mike Superstein
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Terry Turrell
Al Thomas
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RICHARD'S KID SOARS HOME ALONG THE RAIL IN SAN ANTONIO
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2010) -- An owner and jockey change notwithstanding, Richard's Kid resorted to what he does best when storming from far behind Sunday to capture Santa Anita's 72nd running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Antonio Handicap.
With Garrett Gomez aboard, the 8-5 favorite exhibited a remarkable burst of late speed while finding an avenue along the rail to prevail in a blanket finish and defeat longshot Dakota Phone by a head while racing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.05.
Purchased privately by Zabeel Racing International following a sixth-place finish behind Zenyatta in the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic, the return of Richard's Kid was reminiscent of his soaring finish when scoring a 24-1 upset in Del Mar's $1 million Pacific Classic last September.
He was last in a field of 11 turning for home on Sunday. "I stayed down inside with him because there wasn't a whole lot I could do about it," recounted Gomez. "Nobody was really stopping today, so the only way we were going to overcome that was to save ground. He's got a great kick."
The kick demonstrated by the son of Lemon Drop Kid toppled the quest by Dakota Phone to end a 10-race losing streak after momentarily looking to have seized the opportunity under Martin Garcia at odds of 34-1.
Philatelist, at 18-1 with Rafael Bejarano seeking his fourth win of the afternoon, finished third, another head behind and one-half length ahead of fourth-place finisher Pick Six and jockey Victor Espinoza who went off at 25-1.
Mast Track, the 9-2 third choice, set a moderate pace with Mike Smith in the saddle and led into the stretch before grudgingly giving way and falling back to sixth. Furthest Land, winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 7, wound up fifth, about a length behind Richard's Kid, while racing extremely wide at odds of 4-1. Nownownow, sent off at 9-2, was never a threat, finishing eighth.
"They were going slow and he was getting a little rank," said trainer Bob Baffert in analyzing the performance by Richard's Kid. "He was way back there. The pace was the deciding factor, and you can't really change his style. He just shot through there."
The winner paid $5.20, $3.40 and $3. Dakota Phone returned $21.40 and $10.80. Philatelist paid $7.80 to show.
Purchased by Arnold Zetcher prior to the Pacific Classic stunner, Richard's Kid raced three times for Zetcher before being sold to the Zabeel Racing stable of Dubai resident Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammad al Maktoum.
The 5-year-old bay next is ticketed to be shipped to Dubai to compete in the Dubai World Cup on March 27. His new owner realized $90,000 on Sunday, which elevated the earnings of Richard's Kid to $891,370 from an overall record of 7-2-5 in 22 starts.
Following dark days on Monday and Tuesday, Santa Anita begins a six-day racing week with an eight-race program that commences at 1 p.m. The week will continue through the Presidents' Day holiday on Monday of the following week.
SANTA ANITA STABLE NOTES
BY ED GOLDEN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH, 2010
HORSEMEN ADJUST TO HAYMAKER FROM WEATHERMAN
Despite heavy rain that forced cancellation of Saturday's stakes-laden card, horsemen made whatever adjustments were necessary and moved forward towards next Saturday, when the Grade I Las Virgenes Stakes, the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes and the Grade II Strub Stakes have been rescheduled.
"Blind Luck will have an easy work Tuesday," said Jerry Hollendorfer assistant Dan Ward of the Eclipse Award finalist for champion 2-year-old filly of 2009, a prohibitive favorite for the Las Virgenes. "She's very smart. Two years ago, when Heatseeker ran second in the San Antonio, they had pushed it back so that there were only three weeks until the Santa Anita Handicap, and he won anyway, so there wasn't much difference."
Eoin Harty said Hollywood Prevue winner American Lion would work tomorrow for the Lewis. "No major adjustments," the trainer said. "We'll just try again."
Mike Machowsky expressed similar sentiment when asked about unbeaten Lewis contender Caracortado. "He'll work five furlongs Monday, and there's not much difference from his routine," the trainer said. "We'll just keep him in shape until the race."
THREE GRADED STAKES RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY
Santa Anita has announced that three major stakes, the Grade I Las Virgenes, the Grade II Robert B. Lewis and Grade II Strub, which were cancelled Saturday due to rain, have been rescheduled next Saturday, Feb. 13.
All three races will be redrawn and all horses that were nominated are eligible to be entered.
The Grade II Santa Maria Handicap will also be carded as originally scheduled on Saturday.
In addition to the three graded stakes that were cancelled Saturday, the $65,000 Leroidesanimaux Handicap and the $60,000 Wishing Well Handicap will be redrawn and carded for either Thursday, Feb. 11, or Friday, Feb. 12.
The remaining five overnight races that were cancelled Saturday will be offered again as extra races to horsemen in the coming week. Those races that are used will be redrawn and are open to all horses who meet eligibility requirements.
SMITH EXCITED ABOUT MAST TRACK IN SAN ANTONIO HANDICAP
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith is looking forward to riding Mast Track in today's Grade II, $150,000 San Antonio Handicap for older horses at 1 1/8 miles, a major steppingstone to the Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 6.
Smith rides Mast Track for Shirreffs for the first time in the San Antonio. The 6-year-old Mizzen Mast horse previously was trained by the late Bobby Frankel and his top aide, Humberto Ascanio, before being turned over to Shirreffs.
"He's been training really well," Smith said of the 2008 Hollywood Gold Cup winner, now owned by Stronach Stables. "I worked him the last two times and he went nice and easy, well in hand. I'm looking for him to run big. He's a nice horse and looks really good. He's coming off a good race (a front-running victory in the Grade III Native Diver Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on Dec. 12), so hopefully he'll keep moving forward."
JOCKEYS, HOLY ANGELS MEET FEB. 25; LEGENDS TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS
The 43rd annual Holy Angels-Santa Anita Jockeys Charity Basketball Game will take place Thursday, Feb. 25, 7:15 p.m., at LaSalle High School in Pasadena. Proceeds will benefit the Holy Angels athletic department. Legendary Hall of Fame jockeys Eddie Delahoussaye and Laffit Pincay Jr. will be on hand along with four-time national money-earnings champion Garrett Gomez to sign autographs beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Delahoussaye, Gomez and Pincay will also serve as honorary co-captains. Top rider David Flores, who has solidified the jockeys' attack for more than 15 years, will once again serve as game captain.
"We've got a great bunch of guys and we have a lot of fun with this game every year," said Flores. "There are a lot of great people at Holy Angels and they've meant a lot to us here at Santa Anita over the years. This game helps raise money for their sports programs and we have a lot fun with it.
"The last couple of years, they've had some pretty big players, but we're fit and we'll give em a good game. My kids like to come and they have a blast every year. It should be great."
As he has for the past 10 years, HRTV anchor/analyst Kurt Hoover will coach the jockeys. "I really think we had more fun last year than ever before," said Hoover. "David does such a great job in getting the jocks to come out and play and most importantly, to stay loose and have fun with it. I'll tell you one thing-that gym at LaSalle gets jam-packed and it's LOUD in there.
"The whole night has a great feel to it and one of the best things is watching how the little kids react to the game. They love it. Paul Atkinson usually has his two little girls there and they treat this like an NBA title game."
Along with Flores and Atkinson, Rafael Bejarano, Joel Rosario, Mike Smith, Joe Talamo, Martin Garcia, Brice Blanc, Alonso Quinonez, Felipe Valdez, Mike Baze, Tyler Baze, Omar Berrio and others are expected to participate.
In addition to having fun, Hoover is optimistic about the jockeys' prospects this year. "It's my understanding that a couple of their tallest kids graduated last year, so hopefully, we won't have too many trees to contend with. We'll rely on our quickness and physical condition and I think we'll be very competitive," he said.
LaSalle High School is located at the southwest corner of Michillinda Ave. and Sierra Madre Blvd. in Pasadena, approximately four miles from Santa Anita. Admission is $5.
FINISH LINES: There is a Pick Six carryover of $85,150 going into today's races . . . Julien Leparoux arrived Saturday for his stakes engagements only to learn the card was cancelled, but the 2009 Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey rides at Santa Anita today and will be back next Saturday for the mounts he missed yesterday . . . Eclipse Award-winning apprentice rider Christian Santiago Reyes will be at Oaklawn Park on Presidents' Day, Monday, Feb. 15, to ride Cardiff Giant for Jorge Periban in the Grade III Southwest Stakes . . . Bob Baffert and John Sadler were in a flat-footed tie for training honors going into Sunday. Each had 14 wins from 70 starters. Doug O'Neill was third with 12 wins from 61 . . . With three wins Friday, Rafael Bejarano opened a 36-27 lead over runner-up Victor Espinoza in the jockeys' race . . . Round III of the Strub Handicapping Contest has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13.
RACING CANCELLED DUE TO HEAVY OVERNIGHT RAIN, SANTA ANITA OUTLOOK FOR SUNDAY OPTIMISTIC
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2010)-Live racing has been cancelled for Saturday at Santa Anita due to heavy overnight and early morning rain that rendered the main track unsuitable for racing, according to racing officials. The decision to cancel was made at 8:30 a.m.
"This is obviously very disappointing," said Santa Anita General Manager George Haines. "The main track is draining better than it was a month ago, but we got very substantial rain overnight and this morning and as a result, we had standing water in several areas.
"As we've said all along, safety is going to be our number one priority in determining whether or not we're able to run and the situation this morning was not good. That said, this weather system is supposed to be completely cleared out by late this afternoon and we are optimistic about being able to run tomorrow."
Santa Anita was scheduled to run 10 races on Saturday, including five stakes: the $65,000 Leroidesanimaux Handicap, the Gr. I, $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes, the $60,000 Wishing Well Handicap, the Gr. II, $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, and the Gr. II, $200,000 Strub Stakes.
All of these stakes will be rescheduled for next weekend, Feb. 13, 14 and 15.
"We're going to remain in consultation with the horsemen and we hope to have a decision as to when all of these important races will be rescheduled just as soon as possible," said Haines. "We know that in many cases, owners and trainers are plotting schedules with their respective horses and they need to know when these races are going to be offered back. This is a very difficult situation and we will let everyone what our plan is as quickly as possible."
Santa Anita also offered a Pick Six carryover on Saturday of $85,150. The carryover will be offered on the next live racing program, which is scheduled for Sunday.
Saturday's cancellation marked the fourth cessation of live racing at the current meet, as racing was also cancelled due to rain on Jan. 18, 21 and 22.
Santa Anita is open Saturday for simulcast racing from around the country, and admission and parking is free. All fans who received Mystery Mutuel Tickets through the mail for Saturday can use these tickets for simulcast racing Saturday, or they may use them next Saturday, Feb. 13. Club House passes that were included with the mailing will also be honored Feb. 13.
In deference to the Super Bowl, Santa Anita has an early first post time scheduled for Sunday, with the first of eight races scheduled to go at 11 a.m.
SANTA ANITA STABLE NOTES
BY ED GOLDEN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH, 2010
COLTS OR SAINTS: SUPER BOWL PICKS APLENTY AT SANTA ANITA
There is no shortage of opinions at the race track, no matter the sport. With Super Bowl 44 set for Sunday in Miami between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints, horsemen at Santa Anita were at the ready with their thoughts on which team would win the big game, as the following random sampling attests:
Barry Abrams: Indianapolis. They have the experience. They've been there.
Ron Anderson: Under the total (of 56). I don't bet against Peyton Manning.
Jerry Antonucci: Colts.
Bob Baffert: I'm a Manning man. I see them at the (Kentucky) Derby every year, Archie, Eli and Peyton. They all know me, so I'm rooting for the Colts.
Brian Beach: New Orleans and Drew Brees, because he's a racing fan and lives in Del Mar.
Bob Bean: The Colts. They're a better team.
David Bernstein: New Orleans.
James Cassidy: The Colts. Manning is the difference.
Vladimir Cerin: The Colts by 20.
Eddie Delahoussaye: New Orleans has been trying for a long time. It's great to see them winning. I used to ride horses for the team's owner, Tom Benson.
Caesar Dominguez: Saints. I'm rooting for Brees and the underdogs.
Ron Ebanks: Who Dat? If I don't pick the Saints, my mom's going to give me a whipping. I lived in New Orleans as a kid, and my mom lives in Lafayette.
Joe Ferrer: I lived in New Orleans all my life, and wore paper bags over my face when the Saints were so embarrassing they were called the Aints.
Carla Gaines: My big thing is the NCAA. Alabama is my team and they already came through, so I'll root for the Saints.
Paddy Gallagher: I like the Dodgers, myself.
Rick Hammerle: The Saints. The Colts are the Atlanta Braves of football.
Eoin Harty: I met Drew Brees a couple times at Del Mar. He seems like a great guy so I'm pulling for him.
Dan Hendricks: New Orleans. They deserve it after 40 years of what they've been through there.
Jerry Hollendorfer: Sentimentally, New Orleans, but I think the Colts are the best team.
Kurt Hoover: Colts, 31-20. Peyton Manning does not lose these types of games.
Sandy Kilmer, wife of ardent horseplayer and original Saints quarterback, Billy Kilmer: Billy wants the Saints to win, but he's torn because he knows the Manning family. Archie succeeded Billy in New Orleans in 1971, when Billy got traded to the Redskins.
Steve Knapp: The Saints. I'm pulling for the underdog, because they've never won it.
Brian Koriner: I'm a Reggie Bush fan.
Eric Kruljac: I'm rooting for the Saints, because of the people who endured Katrina and because of what Brees had to go through to reach the top. It's a good underdog story.
Mike Machowsky: Colts.
Gary Mandella: Peyton Manning can win the game by himself. He's too smart.
Richard Mandella: Who's playing?
Ron McAnally: The Colts. Manning is more agile back there than Favre, and he gets his passes off quicker.
Sean McCarthy: I'm pulling for New Orleans. It would be fun to see them win it.
Charlie McCaul: Indianapolis. Manning will make the difference.
Henry Moreno: I'm rooting for the horses and Kobe. I played basketball at Corona in my youth.
Craig O'Bryan: New Orleans.
Dennis O'Neill: Indianapolis. I don't think New Orleans is that good. I think it will be a blowout.
Doug O'Neill: The Colts.
Martin Pedroza: The Saints. I'm going with the underdog, and rooting for my man Joe Talamo, the Cajun.
Brad Pegram: The Saints. I love the city of New Orleans and I'd like to see it for that reason.
Mike Puype: The Colts easy.
Jay Robbins: Colts.
John Sadler: I'm happy with either team, but I like the Saints because they've never won.
Richie Silverstein: Indianapolis.
Danny Sorenson: I'm pulling for New Orleans. I like Drew Brees. It's an even match. I just want to see a fantastic game.
Vic Stauffer: They could play the game 100 times and Indianapolis would win every time. Manning finds a way to win. He's like Zenyatta.
Gary Stevens: Indy. I figure if we had Peyton Manning in Iraq, the battle would have been over a long time ago.
Gary Stute: I'm rooting for New Orleans. I like Drew Brees.
Chantal Sutherland: I think I'm watching the Oscars that day.
Richard Tedesco: New Orleans. It would make for a good story if they win, what with Katrina and all.
Toby Turrell: I'm the master of the obvious when I pick the Colts, but no guarantee on whether they'll cover the point spread.
Jon White: I think either team can win. That said, I'll pick Indianapolis because Peyton Manning is one of the all-time great QBs and seems in a zone right now. New Orleans was very lucky to beat Minnesota. But if the Saints win, it wouldn't surprise me because they look like a team of destiny.
Howard Zucker: Colts. They've been there before and it's tough for a team to win the first time in the Super Bowl. The game should provide a lot of fireworks, though.
EVENING JEWEL SHARP FOR GRADE I LAS VIRGENES
Evening Jewel lost to Crisp by a length when spotting that rival six pounds in the Grade III, Santa Ysabel Stakes on Jan. 10. Trainer James Cassidy is hopeful a break in the weights will be beneficial to the daughter of Northern Afleet when she tackles Crisp, prohibitive favorite Blind Luck, and three others in Saturday's Grade I, $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes.
"We're taking on a monster (in Blind Luck), but my filly worked awfully good last week," Cassidy said. "I'm quite happy to run her. We gave six pounds to Crisp last time, and we're at equal weights this time (at 118). She only beat us a length, so I think it will make a difference."
After finishing sixth in her debut, Evening Jewel has never been worse than second in five starts, winning the California Breeders' Champion Stakes for fillies in her final race as a 2-year-old on Dec. 27. The bay filly has a 2-3-0 record, with earnings of $120,600 for owners Tom and Marilyn Braly of Indian Wells.
The field for the Las Virgenes, which goes as the fourth race on a 10-race program: Summer Games, Michael Baze, 116, 20-1; Blind Luck, Rafael Bejarano, 122, 1-2; La Nez, Mike Smith, 118, 8-1; Switch, Tyler Baze, 116, 6-1; Evening Jewel, Victor Espinoza, 118, 8-1; and Crisp, Joel Rosario, 118, 4-1.
LEPAROUX, AMERICAN LION REUNITE FOR ROBERT B. LEWIS STAKES
American Lion makes his first start in nine weeks Saturday in the Grade II, $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, a major prep for the Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 3.
A son of 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow owned and bred by WinStar Farms and trained by Eoin Harty, American Lion last raced on Nov. 21, winning the Grade III Hollywood Prevue at seven furlongs.
"I didn't have a race for him," Harty said in explaining the absence. "This is the first opportunity, and he's doing fine."
American Lion will be ridden by 2009 Eclipse Award winner Julien Leparoux, who is unbeaten in two previous rides aboard the bay colt, both at the distance of seven furlongs.
The field for the Lewis: Macias, Victor Espinoza, 117, 8-1; Dave in Dixie, Joel Rosario, 115, 3-1; Tiz Chrome, Garrett Gomez, 117, 2-1; Caracortado, Paul Atkinson, 117, 6-1; Tango Tango, Rafael Bejarano, 115, 20-1; American Lion, Julien Leparoux, 117, 5-2; and Domonation, Joe Talamo, 115, 8-1.
HRTV KICKS OFF EQUESTRIAN PROGRAMMING FROM GERMANY MONDAY
HRTV will expand its programming lineup when it begins airing top-flight Equestrian-related programming, commencing with the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO-2009 from Aachen, Germany, this Monday, Feb. 8.
HRTV's airing of the best of the Aachen event at 6:30 p.m. will be the North American premiere of English-language coverage of the prestigious event, which took place in late June-early July, 2009.
The initial broadcast is the first of five one-hour shows from Aachen, which will be shown on successive weeks on HRTV. Each new show will premiere on Monday nights, with re-airs slated for Tuesdays and the following Sunday.
Headlining HRTV's first foray into Equestrian programming will be the 2009 Eventing Nation's Cup CICO from Aachen, featuring international horse-and-rider teams. Sometimes termed a "horse triathlon," Eventing is a demanding event testing the training and strength of a horse, along with the unique connection between a horse and rider, who work in tandem through Cross Country, Stadium Jumping, and Dressage disciplines.
"HRTV, based in horse sports, is pleased to expand its mission of leadership in Equestrian TV by bringing the Aachen World Equestrian Festival, in English, to the US TV and worldwide internet audiences," said Jim Bates, HRTV's executive vice president and general manager. "This production by Carr-Hughes, Saratoga Springs, NY, is a great start to HRTV's launch of a series of horse-oriented programming."
FINISH LINES: On Super Bowl Sunday, there will be an early first post time of 11 a.m., with gates opening at 9:30 a.m. THOROUGHBREDS members will be admitted to the Grandstand for only $1 . . . Doug O'Neill said San Marcos Stakes runner-up High Court Drama is pointing to the Grade I $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 6, while Square Eddie suffered a "slight suspensory issue" on the track at Hollywood Park yesterday, forcing him to be scratched from Saturday's Strub Stakes . . . Thursday's two winning Pick Six tickets worth $42,442.40 each were purchased on a $750 ticket at Fantasy Springs in Palm Springs and a $540 ticket at Barona near San Diego . . . Through 28 days and with 33 victories, Rafael Bejarano had opened a seven-win lead over runners-up Garrett Gomez and Victor Espinoza in Santa Anita's jockey race. Joel Rosario was next with 24 wins, but each was winning at 20 percent or better . . . The trainers' race was also tight, with Bob Baffert (14), John Sadler (13) and O'Neill (12) the top three . . . Streaking winner St Trinians, prepping for a meeting with Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic winner Life Is Sweet in the Grade II, $250,000 Santa Maria Handicap on Feb. 13, worked six furlongs at Hollywood Friday in a bullet 1:13.80, breezing, for Mike Mitchell, who also sent Monzante four furlongs in :50.20, breezing, for the Grade I, $250,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on March 6 . . . Long-time press box elevator operator Gail McNeal has announced her retirement at the end of this meet. "I'm both happy and sad," said Elevator Gail,' "because I've been here since 1977 and I've made good friends. It feels like family, and I'm leaving them."
GABBY'S GOLDEN GAL PROVIDES RIDER GARCIA WITH FIRST GRADE I VICTORY WHILE SCORING 11-1 STUNNER IN SANTA MONICA HANDICAP
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2010) -- After faring poorly as the 5-2 favorite in the Grade I La Brea Stakes five weeks before, Gabby's Golden Gal dramatically rebounded with an 11-1 stunner in Sunday's 53rd running of the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap for fillies and mares to provide 25-year-old jockey Martin Garcia with his first Grade I victory.
After tracking the early pace set by Free Flying Soul and Czechers, Arnold Zetcher's homebred 4-year-old filly closed strongly in the middle of the track to defeat hard-charging 2-1 favorite Proviso by 1 1-2 lengths. Gabby's Golden Gal ran the seven-furlong distance in 1:21.25.
It was the first time Garcia, a native of Veracruz, Mexico, had ridden the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro and added a glorious chapter to the union between Garcia and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Almost overnight it seems, Garcia has become a mainstay in the saddle for Baffert, winning his first five rides at the current Santa Anita meet for the famous trainer. With the Santa Monica triumph, Garcia has ridden 18 winners for Baffert from 55 mounts.
"I want to dedicate my first Grade I to Bob," Garcia said after dismounting from Gabby's Golden Gal. "He's giving me a lot of chances."
The young jockey reviewed his journey. "It's an amazing thing what she did today," he said. "Last time (when ridden by Mike Smith in the Dec. 26 La Brea), she needed the race and she was rank.
"Bob (Baffert) said the main thing today was to make her relax, and then make my move. Today, I had an opportunity to keep her outside of those two speed horses, and she relaxed very well. When I asked her, she just took off."
Proviso, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, finished well after emerging from behind rivals in the stretch to get the place by 1 1-2 lengths over Free Flying Soul and jockey Smith. Czechers, who had yielded the early lead to Free Flying Soul, held on for fourth another 1 lengths back with Chantal Sutherland in the saddle.
The Grade I victory was the second for Gabby's Golden Gal, who often does the unexpected. She captured Belmont Park's Grade I Acorn Stakes last June at odds of 13-1 before showing little at 5-2 in the Grade I Prioress at Belmont. She subsequently went to the sidelines for 5 months before returning in the La Brea.
"She just needed the race," Baffert said. "I thought she was training well enough to win it, but she just laid an egg that day. Today, I was just hoping she didn't go too fast. She picked up the bit. Last time when she went to make the move, Mike (Smith) said she was just empty, so she just needed the race.
"Mike was committed to the other filly (Free Flying Soul), so I thought I'd give Martin a chance, and he came through. This filly has always shown me signs of greatness, like Indian Blessing. That's why we were just baffled after the La Brea."
Gabby's Golden Gal rewarded backers with payoffs of $25.20, $10.80 and $6.80 in the Santa Monica. Proviso returned $4 and $3. The show price on Free Flying Soul was $3.60.
The winner's share of $150,000 elevated the earnings of Gabby's Golden Gal to $499,405 from a record of 4-1-1 in nine career starts.
Santa Anita will be dark on Monday and Tuesday prior to the beginning of a five-day racing week on Wednesday with an eight-race program that starts at 1 p.m.
SANTA ANITA ENTRIES FOR WEDNESDAY 02-10 AFTERNOON 1:00
DAY 31 OF A 83 DAY MEET.
9284 FIRST RACE 6 Furlongs Purse: $15,000
Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $12,500-$10,500.
1 8234 Acquire the Fire J Talamo 121 12,500
2 (9035) Malibu Canyon T Baze 123 12,500
3 8222 Trail Mix R Bejarano 121 12,500
4 9177 To the Penny S Heiler 121 12,500
5 9179 Stormy Game C Santiago Reyes X114 10,500
5 To Go.
9285 SECOND RACE 1 Mile Purse: $16,000
Maiden Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $25,000-$22,500.
1 9164 Allie Wolff J Talamo 122 25,000
2 9146 Jacky's Skipping C Sutherland 122 25,000
3 9115 Singitnsignit (GB) D Sorenson 120 22,500
4 9004 Dee Dee's Flight F Valdez 120 22,500
5 9115 Lucy Got Lucky M Pedroza 120 22,500
6 8130 Stormy Anna Mn Garcia 120 22,500
6 To Go.
9286 THIRD RACE About 6 1/2 Furlongs Turf Purse: $25,000
Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $25,000-$22,500.
1 2239 Valid Mecke Mn Garcia 121 25,000
2 9152 Noblety V Espinoza 121 25,000
3 2326 Westerly Magic A Quinonez 121 25,000
4 9162 Pack Your Bags B Blanc 121 25,000
5 9152 Within Reason J Talamo 121 25,000
6 7101 Storm Brave C Santiago Reyes X114 22,500
7 9162 Spirit of Cochise J Rosario 121 25,000
8 9100 Raingear P Atkinson 119 22,500
9 9162 Charlie and Chris S Amador 121 25,000
10 9152 Crossing The Line (NZ) T Baze 121 25,000
11 6466 Sevengoldnmissiles D Flores 121
ALSO ELIGIBLE
12 9152 Bonfante R Bejarano 121 25,000
13 (3228) All Man M Pedroza 121 25,000
14 To Go.
9287 FOURTH RACE 6 1/2 Furlongs Purse: $13,000
Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $12,500.
1 9122 Mat the Maiter'd M James XX116 12,500
2 9124 Warren's Operator D Flores 123 12,500
3 9060 Megillah J Garcia 123 12,500
4 9238 Abalanche A Quinonez 123 12,500
5 9166 Boo Too C Santiago Reyes X118 12,500
6 6050 Just Charmed J Stack 123 12,500
7 9192 Carbon Hoofprint (GB) E Ahern 123 12,500
8 9171 Smokenomore V Espinoza 123 12,500
9 9124 Maj. Trouble S Amador 123 12,500
10 9124 Indy Ride J Rosario 123 12,500
10 To Go.
9288 FIFTH RACE 6 Furlongs Purse: $38,000
Claiming. Fillies. 4 year olds. Claiming Prices $50,000-$40,000.
1 (9157) Kimmyv Mn Garcia 121 50,000
2 8071 Foxy Bailey J Rosario 121 50,000
3 (9193) Life by R R T Baze 121 50,000
4 7095 Oilgonewile D Sorenson 121 50,000
5 9133 Dash Dot Dash J Talamo 121 50,000
6 9086 Maroma R Bejarano 121 50,000
7 9133 See N Win M Smith 121 50,000
7 To Go.
9289 SIXTH RACE 7 Furlongs Purse: $18,000
Maiden Claiming. Fillies. 3 year olds. Claiming Prices $32,000-$28,000.
1 9159 Sarazona J Garcia 121 32,000
2 9155 Sheskey T Baze 117 28,000
3 9217 If You Knew Susie Mn Garcia 117 28,000
4 9174 Senior Security A Quinonez 121 32,000
5 9182 Warrens Matchmaker D Flores 121 32,000
6 .... Macho Miss M Baze 121 32,000
7 9127 Lana's Lovely J Rosario 121 32,000
8 9182 Lisa Lulu C Sutherland 121 32,000
9 9127 Kiss'em for Me R Bejarano 117 28,000
9 To Go.
Macho Miss Grr.f.3 by Macho Uno out of Poopsie, by Cherokee Colony. Bred by Terry C. Lovingier (CA). Trainer Caesar F. Dominguez.
9290 SEVENTH RACE 1 Mile Purse: $52,000
Allowance Optional Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $80,000.
1 5123 Mr. Big M Smith 119
2 9201 Euroglide M Baze 119 80,000
3 4475 Cape Truth J Talamo 119
4 8141 Feisty Suances D Flores 119
5 (9034) Deal Breaker (GB) R Bejarano 119 80,000
6 9098 Calimonco G Gomez 119
7 .... Gustavian J Valdivia, Jr. 119
8 9144 Mythical Power V Espinoza 119
9 8173 Cigar Man J Rosario 119 80,000
10 8057 Nericon King (AUS) Mn Garcia 119 80,000
10 To Go.
Gustavian B.c.4 by Giant's Causeway out of Mossflower, by Affirmed. Bred by Whitewood Stable, Inc. (KY). Trainer H. Graham Motion.
9291 EIGHTH RACE 6 1/2 Furlongs Purse: $13,000
Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $12,500.
1 5151 Hiho Geronimo Mn Garcia 123 12,500
2 9171 Alpine Nugget J Valdivia, Jr. 123 12,500
3 9171 Spinning Sound (IRE) R Bejarano 123 12,500
4 9199 Runfortherosesdan A Quinonez 123 12,500
5 9171 Pacific Halo M Baze 123 12,500
6 3343 Arm Chair Q B L Medina 123 12,500
7 9152 Figeac T Baze 123 12,500
8 7152 Waafi J Rosario 123 12,500
9 2271 Bertie Boy D Flores 123 12,500
10 8154 Objectified M Pedroza 123 12,500
11 9035 Crash Landing J Talamo 123 12,500
11 To Go.
