The Derby trail really began this weekend at with Mohaymen’s romp in the Holy Bull, making his record a perfect four for four, over Greenpointcrusader. This will most likely put Mohaymen at the top of most Derby rankings.
Carrie Lynn Barker
That was occurring on the other side of the country while Santa Anita Park enjoyed a great day of high-class racing and the ever-popular Sunshine Millions California Wine Festival, on Saturday, January 30. But those not wine tasting were focused on the main attractions – the races. I love a good glass of wine but there is nothing I love better than a great horse race.
The fourth race, the Xpressbet California Oaks for fillies saw Pacific Heat, under jockey Flavien Prat, outrun Patriotic Diamond, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, who still finished a strong second. Diamond 100 Racing Club, which owns Patriotic Diamond, also had the third race named in their honor.
Smokey Image and Victor Espinoza – winner Cal Cup Derby
Immediately following was the 27th running of the California Cup Derby. Smokey Image, with jockey Victor Espinoza along for the ride, took control early and drew away to win in impressive fashion, with no encouragement from Victor. The obvious favorite with the betting crowd, Smokey Image made it a straight six for six, and he made it look easy. Not only that, but he is quite the handsome chestnut. Speaking of handsome chestnuts, I know I’m not the only one reminded of California Chrome, who is now in Dubai for the World Cup. Smokey Image is included in the Triple Crown nominations for 2016, and I bet Victor is also thinking ‘Derby horse’ with this one. Could back-to-back Triple Crown winners be a possibility?
Xingontothebone’s checkerboard haircut
The sixth brought out a great field of seven horses for the 26th Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint. This also was the anticipated ‘boys against girls’ match with the beautifully talented Sunday Rules entered. The speedy five year-old mare, with jockey Edwin Maldonado aboard, showed just how special she is as she kicked clear of her male rivals. This made Sunday Rules five for five on the Santa Anita track, and winner of eight of nine career starts. She is a super mare and Santa Anita fans hope to see more of her in the coming months.
Start of Race 5 (with Smokey Image in red blinkers)
On the downhill turf course, the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint put favorite Velvet Mesquite and jockey Kent Desormeaux to the test as they went four wide into the stretch. Velvet Mesquite held the lead against the late running Qianoa, with Victor Espinoza up, and finished under the wire first. Another Santa Anita fan favorite was Singing Kitty, who ended up a disappointing eighth. Hopefully she’ll pull it together for her next start, as I know many people who bet her every time she runs. It’s a ‘kitty’ thing.
The 9th race was the 27th running of the California Cup Turf Classic, which was a mile and an eighth on the turf. Longshot Image of Joplin and Agapito Degadillo but faded, leaving the stretch run open to What a View and jockey, Kent Desormeaux, even though he’d bobbled at the start. This gave Kent two wins on the day, both coming off turf horses.
Sunday Rules and Edwin Maldonado beat the boys
The Vogel Derby ended the day with 12-1 shot Shy Carmelita and David C. Lopez hitting the wire ahead of Desperate Chick and Victor Espinoza.
There was no lack of excitement, including one woman’s cry of alarm as I fed one of the track pony’s a peppermint and he appeared to devour my hand. All fingers were still attached once Justin the pony got his treat and all I got was a handful of slobber. Still proving that, yes, horses do drool. Thanks, Justin. Always a pleasure.
— By Carrie Lynn Barker, who shares her thoughts, observations and photos of the horse-related activities from her near-weekly visits to Santa Anita Park on Saturdays during racing season (all photos by Carrie). Carrie is a photographer who lives in Monrovia with her screenwriter husband Brandon and is Chief Member Concierge at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. Carrie has written seven stories published as ebooks and has produced several films. She has also been Operation Manager of Barfly Staff Monitoring Services since 2010.