March 23, 2016
A star-studded field assembled on Saturday for the annual running of the Grade I Santa Margarita for older fillies and mares and while champions assembled, it was an unlikely Grade I winner who earned her second top-class win when Google Maps closed up the fence to score by nearly a length from sprinter superstar Distant Cousin. A daughter of Grade I winning sire Five Spirits, she was good enough to win the SA Oaks last year and once again, proved her might over the SA oval with a tour-de-force effort, her third in a row, that pushed her earnings over the $1,100.000 mark.
Quiet Elegance (10.25) forced the early pace of the Santa Margarita from her far outside stall as Google Maps (4.15) and champion Lullaby Maker Tf (*1.65) broke well just to her inside and as they moved into the first turn, everyone was able to shuffle inside and save some much needed ground. Broomsticks N Booty (3.80) moved up from midpack to hug the rail but that held out the leaders and into the backstretch, it was a real struggle for the favourite up front. A half-mile came up in a solid 47.57 and Quite Elegance was still leading three-wide with Lullaby Maker Tf to her inside and as the octet pushed to three-quarters in 1:11.27, Distant Cousin (6.95) looked to be in the best stalking position from fourth as Baja Burrito (9.30) stated her decline. At the head of the lane, the favourite should have had more than enough to sprint at the leader but came up empty and while Broomsticks N Booty came up the inside and Distant Cousin came with a surprising inside run, the eventual winner was nearest to the fence as Google Maps came from near the back for her chance. Quiet Elegance hung on gamely after a huge three-wide race and Distant Cousin was shut off in midstretch with nowhere to go but with a determined rally, Google Maps got the best of a stellar field to win by nearly a length with Distant Cousin a hard-luck second and Broomsticks N Booty a game third. Quiet Elegance outlasted A Class Angie (17.20) for fourth, although the latter was a non-factor, with Lullaby Maker Tf a disappointing sixth, Baja Burrito seventh and Protection (26.40) last throughout at her long odds.
Whether it was the course or the solid early speed is yet to be seen but every horse in the Santa Margarita field equaled or regressed from their last speed rating and with an even final time, it is yet to be seen how many of these fillies and mares will improve from this effort as the branch out across the country. Multiple Grade I winner Google Maps won over this course last year and proved best over the track yet again and now sports three wins in a row, good enough to make her case for interim leader, although Distant Cousin ran a cracker of a race in second after being shut off and will be force at any distance this season.
Congratulations goes out to owner Aml Racing and their four-year-old filly Google Maps, a rail-skimming winner of the Grade I Santa Margarita at SA!
Prediction Lullaby Maker Tf / A Class Angie / Quiet Elegance
Winner Google Maps
Four-year-old gray filly
Five Spirits-Risky Investment (Sadlers Wells)
Owner Aml Racing
Time 47.57, 1:11.27, 1:35.91, 1:48.48
Overall
Google Maps 4.15 back early, rail ride, clear late
Distant Cousin 6.95 stalked, shut off in lane, came on again
Broomsticks N Booty 3.80 say patient, even late push
Quiet Elegance 10.25 wide run throughout, held well
A Class Angie 17.20 no threat for win
Lullaby Maker Tf *1.65 pressed, faded in stretch
Baja Burrito 9.30 no late momentum
Protection 26.40 no chance
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
