The 18th Running of the G2 Santa Monica Stakes

February 5, 2022

SA Race #5 16:50 $200.000 7 Furlongs 

4+ F&M 123 Lbs (Plus Penalties)

Track Record-1:19.86 (Alpha Ultimo-2005)

Stakes Record-1:21.36 (Golden Chance-2013)

Smiling Lucy used a determined stretch drive to run down a loose-on-the-lead Copper Mama and win the G2 Santa Monica at SA.  Completing the seven-furlongs in 1:21.71, Smiling Lucy claimed the lion’s share of the $200.000 purse to increase her earnings to $360.390 with a 14-7-0-1 race record.

From the start until the quarter pole, nothing much changed in the G2 Santa Monica.  Copper Mama broke sharply and led the field through fractions of :23.01 and :46.02 as she was tracked by a trio of horses about 2-3 lengths off of her pace.  Tucked-in just behind that threesome, Smiling Lucy raced alone about four lengths behind Copper Mama.

Tipping-off of the rail midway around the turn, Smiling Lucy was 4-5 wide entering the stretch, but she had not a hair in her path as she set her sights on the longtime leader.  Copper Mama would lead until the final 50-yards as Smiling Lucy was 8-9 wide by the time she reached the front after the runs of Pirate Princess and Dancinginflorida pushed her out to the center of the course.  Smiling Lucy‘s margin of victory was a half-length over Copper Mama as the latter saved the place from Pirate Princess.  Dancinginflorida was another half-length back in fourth and was followed across the wire by Gold Futures, Flyingbolt, and Bagel Bites. 

Congratulations to Nakamura Stables and Smiling Lucy for their victory in the G2 Santa Monica at SA. 

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES