Fulfilling the needs of her trainer Our Athletes, Infrastructure ( 9-2) was also fulfilling her own needs to get back to the winners enclosure, and with the help of rider F Prat, she succeeded beautifully here at Santa Anita.

• The Wilshire Grade III – Purse $100.000
• Santa Anita Park – Fillies and Mares Three Years old and Up
• One Mile- Turf Course
• June 22nd, 2019

It seems the telltale sign that Infrastructure was ready to break to the top once again here in the Wilshire was her most recent mile works at both Churchill and here at Santa Anita. Milers of 1:35 and two and 1:35 and one leading up to this affair tipped her hat to handicappers, who gave her more respect at the betting windows. While the move last summer to the turf took her straight to the winners circle, the addition of Lasix and blinkers solidified her winning three straight titles, two against Graded company. So her victory here on Saturday may be the rebirth of what looks to be a new chapter in her turf career. She not only won her third Graded title, but she also earned a 98 SRF figure as well, her best to date. Hopefully she will continue to build and grow.

Taking the runner-up position was Saratoga Stud’s City Never Sleeps ( 13-2 ) who thought she was in the idea position throughout this event, and just came up a head short at the wire. The move to the turf in her past three Graded company events has proven to be the best thing to happen to this bay filly, and i would be surprised to she her make a departure from the Graded level. Persistence can sometimes pay off.

The show placing went to TwinTowersRacing’s Five Million ( 2-1*) the post time favorite. Definitely had her work cut out for her in this event being eighth at one point in the race, only to close to within a length at the finish. Her last victory came before she made the switch to the sod, so maybe she might need a little more then just a shadow roll to place her over the top.

Final share of money went to Pennys Pearl ( Mb Stables ) a 20-1 longshot for this event. Originally slated to have J I Velez in the irons, the late switch may have had her a little more productive and in my opinion almost got her the show money. A drop to the non graded events will most definitely get her back on top.

Rounding out the event in order of finish were Chateau de Chambord (John Henry), who was the last of the sub 1:34 times in the field. Sixth was On The Square ( Crocker Ggs) who surprisingly has been struggling against Gr. III company after two fruitful events a level higher. Nice Laff Phooey (Maxmillion Farm ) may need to try an off track once again after her first and only attempt scored a victory. She narrowly beat Catch A Look
(Axeman) in this event, a thoroughbred who may find her way back to OpClm company after this defeat.

Duffer

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES