Nebula Warrior rallied from well back to capture the $125.000 CA Cup Sprint Stakes at Santa Anita, overtaking the leaders in the stretch to win the six-furlong statebred stakes for four-year-old and older colts and geldings foaled in California under Victor Espinoza for Broken Spoke Stables. The gray four-year-old gelding posted a final time of 1:08.75 over a fast track, earning his second career stakes victory and fourth win overall from eleven starts. The victory provided solid value for connections and confirmed Nebula Warrior’s status as a legitimate stakes performer among California-bred sprinters, adding to his earlier triumph in the $175.000 Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds while carrying 123 pounds.

Flow & Calls

As the gates opened for the CA Cup Sprint Stakes, Nebula Warrior broke alertly from post three to establish position in third through the opening quarter-mile in :22.2. Poisoned Apple, breaking from post ten, settled into tenth under Fresu. Sinissippi Chicken occupied fourth in the early stages after breaking from post four, while Mighty raced in first. The Answer, breaking from post two, settled into second position. Atlas Obscura raced in seventh, Sunset Devil occupied fifth, Smokin Commander settled into ninth, Back Class raced in sixth, and Greed Brother occupied seventh as the field completed the opening quarter over the fast surface.

Through the half-mile marker reached in :45.1, Nebula Warrior had improved his position dramatically, moving up to first and taking command of the race. Poisoned Apple had begun his move, advancing to sixth. Sinissippi Chicken moved up to second, positioning himself in contention. Mighty had dropped back to fourth, while The Answer advanced to third. Atlas Obscura continued from sixth, Sunset Devil raced in fourth, Smokin Commander moved up to fifth, Back Class occupied sixth, and Greed Brother raced in fifth as the field approached the far turn.

As the field reached the five-furlong marker in :56.4, Nebula Warrior continued to show the way in first position, maintaining his advantage over his rivals. Poisoned Apple had continued his forward move, advancing to sixth. Sinissippi Chicken raced in second, tracking the leader. Mighty occupied fourth, while The Answer maintained third. Atlas Obscura continued from fifth, Sunset Devil raced in fourth, Smokin Commander occupied sixth, Back Class raced in fifth, and Greed Brother remained in fourth as the field prepared to straighten for home.

In the final furlong, Nebula Warrior responded gamely to all challenges, digging in determinedly under Espinoza’s urging. The leader maintained his advantage through the stretch, drawing clear to secure the victory. Poisoned Apple finished with excellent determination to claim second after making up significant ground throughout the race. Sinissippi Chicken held on well to secure third after tracking the pace. Mighty finished fourth after racing in contention, while The Answer completed the top five. Atlas Obscura finished sixth, followed by Sunset Devil in seventh, Smokin Commander in eighth, Back Class in ninth, and Greed Brother completing the order in tenth. The winner crossed the finish line 1/2 lengths in front of the runner-up.

Each Runner Mentioned

Nebula Warrior occupied third position through the opening quarter in :22.2, improved to first at the half-mile marker in :45.1, continued to show the way at the five-furlong call in :56.4, and held off all challengers to win by 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:08.75 for his fourth career victory.

Poisoned Apple settled into tenth through the opening quarter, advanced to sixth at the half-mile marker, continued from sixth at the five-furlong call, and rallied powerfully in the stretch to claim second, beaten 1/2 lengths in his second career start following his maiden victory.

Sinissippi Chicken occupied fourth position through the opening quarter, moved up to second at the half-mile marker, maintained second at the five-furlong call, and held on for third after tracking the pace throughout while carrying 123 pounds.

Mighty established the early lead through the opening quarter, dropped to fourth at the half-mile marker, maintained fourth at the five-furlong call, and finished fourth after showing early speed.

The Answer settled into second through the opening quarter, advanced to third at the half-mile marker, maintained third at the five-furlong call, but flattened out in the final furlong to finish fifth.

Atlas Obscura raced in seventh through the opening quarter, advanced to sixth at the half-mile marker, continued from fifth at the five-furlong call, and finished sixth, never able to threaten the top finishers.

Sunset Devil occupied fifth position through the opening quarter, maintained fourth at the half-mile marker, raced in fourth at the five-furlong call, and finished seventh after pressing the pace early.

Smokin Commander settled into ninth through the opening quarter, moved up to fifth at the half-mile marker, occupied sixth at the five-furlong call, and finished eighth while carrying 125 pounds.

Back Class raced in sixth through the opening quarter, maintained sixth at the half-mile marker, continued from fifth at the five-furlong call, and finished ninth before being retired.

Greed Brother occupied seventh position through the opening quarter, maintained fifth at the half-mile marker, raced in fourth at the five-furlong call, and finished tenth, unable to sustain his mid-race position.

Winner’s Profile

Nebula Warrior, a gray gelding by Time Warrior out of Sweep The Nebula, was bred by Patterson Stables and is owned by Broken Spoke Stables. The victory pushes his lifetime earnings to $229.440 with four wins from eleven career starts.

Track: Fast
Time: :22²  :45¹  :56⁴  1:08³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 10 Paid 236.70
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 10 – 4 Paid 585.20

Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded