A fine day of racing was had at Santa Anita Park Saturday, March 26, though at one point one could have said we were at the rodeo rather than a thoroughbred track.
Carrie Lynn Barker
The entire place was abuzz with news of California Chrome’s win in Dubai at the World Cup, making him the top money earner in North America, passing up reigning champ Curlin. However there were still eleven races to be had.
Favorite Edzactly and David C. Lopez hit the wire in the First.
Edzactly and David C Lopez after the First
Then, second favorite Steely Jack took the Second under jockey Edwin Maldonado. Heavy favorite Revenue Virginius was seeking her third straight victory. However, she couldn’t hold off the hard running Yana with Agapito Delgadillo aboard.
Revenue Virginius and Rafael Bejarano settled for a second place finish in the Third.
Edwin Maldonado and Steely Jack return after the Second
Race Four saw another heavy favorite win in Rockantharos with Brayan Pena aboard. Rockantharos showed authority when he took the lead early and held it, as there was just no beating him today.
Irish bred, Tuttipaesi pulled an upset in the Fifth, the Santa Ana Stakes, as she raced between rivals under jockey Christopher DeCarlo. Glory and Mike Smith gamely held on for second as favorite Her Emmynency weakened and finished last. This was the only stakes race on the full card of 11 races and Tuttipaesi looked pretty good winning it.
Yana and Agapito Delgadillo upset the Third
The Sixth began like any other, horses paraded the paddock, walked to the track and prepped behind the gate to load. However, halfway through loading a cloud of dust rose as Blue Chat tossed rider Kent Desormeaux and took off down the curve. Track staff ran to try and catch the loose filly but she had her mind set on going back to the barn. She nearly collided with the rail before violently kicking outrider Jesus Camacho and his horse Justin. Justin came away with quite the scrape on his hindquarters but continued the day as if nothing had happened.Camacho ended up with a sore ankle but was none the worse for wear. Kent Desormeaux was unhurt and Blue Chat was scratched. Second favorite Arewehavingfunyet drew away to win under the urging of Rafael Bejarano. I doubt track pony Justin saw any irony in the winner’s name as he made his way back to the paddock after this race. I did make sure my buddy Justin got a peppermint for his troubles.
Rockantharos and Brayan Pena win the Fourth
West Mid inched away to win the Seventh while The Last Express took some urging but pulled ahead to win the Eighth.
Carlsbad Mountain and Steward Elliott proved best in the Ninth as they held off Noblel Kent and Edwin Maldonado. Joseph Talamo picked up another win on Tannersmymuscle in the 10th, where he inched away to keep the lead over Justonemorething and Rafael Bejarano.
The 11th and final race on the card had Lottie surging to the lead late under Drayden Van Dyke.
Sally the Clydesdale
By that time, almost 6 p.m., most folks had already headed home, and I was so slow that by the time I got to the ticket windows to cash my winners, every one was closed!
So, it was a long and very warm day but only Sally the Clydesdale still looked amazingly beautiful by day’s end. I would love to meet her hair-dresser and know her secret. And a special thanks to jockey Rosie Higgins for just being an amazing woman!
— 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.