Santa Ana Stakes – Grade III
1 1/4 Mile Turf Stake Purse $100.000 Filly & Mare 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st Lady Hilltopper Black N Gold Stable Rispoli U

Everything went right for the wide draw today as they found the race engines preferred spot and, in the end, won impressively and with a decent amount of ease. Backed heavily from being the outsider of the field it was clear she was far better than the chances the odds monkeys gave her bearing in mind she was already a three times graded stakes winner. This was a very nice win who clearly isn’t struggling with the move from three-year-old to four.

2nd Tessas Star Glorify Stables Velazquez J R

Led early but never got clear enough to gain the required race engine leaders’ buffer and inevitably was faced down by the winner as they raced down the stretch. Only lightly raced she kept on well enough for second and looks a really progressive type.

3rd= Made The Choice High First Flight Stable Cedillo A

Nothing like a third-place finish in a graded stakes and going home out of pocket but that’s what happened to the next two home today and once again we were reminded just how hard it is to compete. Either of them could have gone to a TOP allowance and come out better off but as it was, they will have a better-looking record if not a better bank balance after this race. This one got too far behind on an engine that makes it very hard for closers but ran on well to share third.

3rd= Shes One Of A Kind Mo Mentum Farm Vazquez R A

Third today netted her nearly $32.000 less than she got when winning a four-runner optional claimer last time but that makes you realize just how tough it is for these top horses to make a crust. A little one paced at the end here she had held a good enough position but couldn’t quicken at the end, and I am sure the trainer will be scratching their head with what to do with her next.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES