After finishing the chessboard in the seven-foot La Brea Stakes (G1) game at Santa Anita Park on December 26, Bob Baffert’s practitioners under the stars and Ganadora extended two passes and received tier relief on January 14 in $200,000 La Canada Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles.
Ganadora, a $1 million auction item purchased by clotting agent Donato Lanni from Gainesway consignment for the 2020 Keeneland Yearling Sale in September 2020, attended the sharp opening half mile: 44, 80 in La Brea before falling to fifth under John Velazquez. Two start again, 4-year-old child Quality Sugar Dirty went twice in the one-mile Dark Mirage Stake on September 18 at Racetrack Los Alamitos and roped by eight lengths. gentle race Ganadora showed a 3-0-0 record in five starts for owner Baoma Corp.
Under the Stars was the more popular of these two Baffert runners at La Brea but was never a factor. 4 years old Pioneer of the Nile diminutive picked up pace along the inner ring under Flavien Prat before waning to finish last out of seven. Top driver Juan Hernandez will reunite on Saturday with Under the Stars.
Under the Stars, a two-time 2nd place winner in 2022, has a 3-2-2 record in 10 starts and earns $357,520 for Coolmore affiliated owners Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith.
Kirstenbosch finished ahead of both Ganadora and Under the Stars taking third at La Brea. Coached by John Sadler, the 4-year-old daughter of Midnight music came last after the opening half mile but ran late to just stand in the most popular spot Midnight Memories for display. Jockey Kazushi Kimura first boarded the train in La Brea and resumed riding on Saturday.
English natural color attracted Prat riding for the first time after finishing second in the Miss America Stakes competition on the synthetic main track at Golden Gate Fields December 11th. This will be the first start in the life of my 5-year-old daughter Outperform and Excel who last year counted grass wins in both Luther Burbank Handicap at Santa Claus and the Golden Gate Fields Turf Distaff Bet. Natural Color is owned by Ronald Charles and Samuel Gordon and coached by Manuel Badilla.
Item: La Canada S. (G3)
Santa Anita . ParkSaturday, January 14, 2023, Race 7
- Class III
- 1 1/16m
- dust
- 200,000 USD
- 4 years and older Fillies and Mares
- 3:30pm (local)
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
