Santa Barbara Stakes – Grade III
1 1/2 Mile Turf Stake Purse $100.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Classic Tail Ashwood Farms Smith M E

With this being such an open race it wasnt difficult to see this horse winning but the ease in which she did was a little surprising. She has won seven races now but none of her races had suggested a dominant display like this but getting to the lead on a crawling pace was enough to see her win unchallenged. This was a great win for her trainer and going forward she looks the type to do well in these extreme route races, the question for her owner will now be where next.

2nd Miz Snakie Queen Maxmillion Farm Van Dyke D

Stalking the leader on a slow pace i was waiting and waiting for this filly to get upsides the winner but she never really did anything just whacking away behind her and never looking a danger for the win. This was a much better effort than her last start though and as a lightly raced sort there may be some improvement to come.

3rd Sandset Team 7 Illusions Desormeaux K J

The slow pace certainly didnt help but she was a bit disappointing toiling away in third and never making any significant headway on the first two. She seems to have the class but not the heart.

4th Sovereign Nation Paradise Stable Espinoza V

He was taken out the back early on and at the pace they were going must have been almost walking for the first half of this race. Not surprisingly she never got on terms which is surprising considering she flew home to win the Dowager off a similar pace.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES