Endlessly remained a perfect 3-for-3, and one of the favorites for the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T), after his 2 1/4-length score in the Oct. 8 Zuma Beach Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.
A homebred for Anerman Racing, Endlessly has risen to the top of the Southern California turf 2-year-old ranks over his three career starts, beginning with a Del Mar debut win in late July. The son of Oscar Performance then stormed by his rivals late for his first stakes tally in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G3T).
Guided by regular jockey Juan Hernandez in the $200,000 Zuma Beach, Endlessly raced in midpack behind brisk early fractions of :22.86 and :46.86. Advancing around the turn, the colt launched his winning move past the quarter pole, kicking clear of game Ngannou in the final sixteenth.
“My horse was really professional,” Hernandez said of Endlessly. “He came through the horses really well and after that he just passed everybody like (he has) the last couple of races. He’s improving with every race.”
Endlessly ($3.60) was timed in 1:34.52 for the mile on a firm turf course.
The pacesetting Ngannaou was second over Grand Mo the First in third.
Trained by Michael McCarthy, Endlessly has banked $229,200 from his three starts.
DREAMFYRE CAPTURES SURFER GIRL
Dreamfyre faced a challenge by a game Buttercream Babe on the turf and another by her jockey claiming interference down the stretch of the $200,000 Surfer Girl Stakes (G3T).
But when the stewards had made their decision, the daughter of Flameaway’s win by a neck stood and with it her perfect record remained intact.
“I was like 90% confident (she would win),” said trainer O.J. Jauregui. “The question was always going to be the distance as fast as she is. She’s very rateable, she let me do whatever I want in the mornings. … She ran big and I’m glad she did.”
Dreamfyre, breaking from the inside, quickly established the pace for the mile-long race. The field of 10 2-year-old fillies and mares did all they could to stay within range. Halfway through, nearly half of the challengers were on the brink of becoming spectators.
None did a better job of keeping up than Buttercream Babe and Ramon Vazquez.
She briefly took the lead with a quarter mile to go, with another, Flattery , mounting a rally of her own.
Heading down the stretch, Dreamfyre moved outward and brushed Buttercream Babe before regaining her direction and holding on for the victory in 1:37.11. Buttercream Babe took third.
Dreamfyre paid $5.80 on a $2 win ticket.
As for what’s next, Jauregui may point the filly toward the Breeders’ Cup in less than a month.
“Oh definite, but more important is make sure she’s OK. If she looks great, we’ll go and give it a shot,” he said.
Video: Zuma Beach S. (G3T)
Video: Surfer Girl S. (G3T)
