The result never seemed in doubt as odds-on choice Ventura shook off stablemate Jibboom with a furlong to run to en route to a measured one-length win, giving trainer Bobby Frankel and Juddmonte Farms the exacta in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita Jan. 31.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A day after entering Eclipse champion female sprinter Indian Blessing in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert said the 4-year-old filly would not participate in an anticipated rematch with Ventura after all.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A rematch of last fall's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint battle at Santa Anita between the victorious Ventura and champion filly Indian Blessing looms in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) Jan. 31. But after entries were taken Jan. 28, trainer Bob Baffert said he was unsure if Indian Blessing would run.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Hystericalady, the 3-10 favorite, just didn't have it in her first start since the Breeders' Cup, opening the door for Intangaroo, the longest shot in the field at 26-1, to win the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita Feb. 2.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Hystericalady tops the six older fillies and mares entered for the re-drawn $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I), which is to be run Feb. 2 after being canceled the preceding weekend due to the unsafe condition of Santa Anita's Cushion Track.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
After getting a break in the weather enabling the Sunshine Millions program to go forward Jan. 26, Santa Anita announced it has canceled its live racing programs for the next two days after more rain hit the track overnight.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Weather permitting, grade I winners Hystericalady and Pussycat Doll will make their 2008 debuts in the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) on the Santa Anita Cushion Track Jan. 27.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Even-money choice Pussycat Doll, returning from a layoff of nearly nine months, proved anything but vulnerable with her third grade I win in the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita Sunday.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Pussycat Doll, off the racing trail since winning the Humana Distaff Handicap (gr. I) May 6, returns in an ambitious spot -- Sunday's $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) for older fillies and mares at Santa Anita -- where she faces nine tough rivals going seven furlongs.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Heavy betting favorite Behaving Badly popped the gate in front for jockey Victor Espinoza and was never seriously threatened, becoming a grade I winner with little trouble in the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) for fillies and mares at Santa Anita Park Sunday.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Grade I winners Alphabet Kisses and Leave Me Alone are the co-high weights at 119 pounds among nine fillies and mares entered in Santa Anita's $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at seven furlongs on Sunday.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Argentine-bred mare Salt Champ made her United States debut for trainer Richard Mandella with a visually impressive victory in the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) Sunday at Santa Anita Park.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Trainer Marcelo Polanco was quite unhappy that Island Fashion wasn't given more consideration for the Eclipse Award for 3-year-old fillies in 2003 after winning a pair of grade I races and two other stakes. After beating a powerful field that included top mares Sightseek and Got Koko in Sunday's $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita, Polanco may have proved his point.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Juddmonte Farms, Bobby Frankel, Jerry Bailey and Sightseek, each on the verge of winning an Eclipse Award Monday night in Florida, are set to tackle six rivals Sunday in the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.
Friday, January 23, 2004
Sightseek hasn't run since finishing a disappointing fourth, beaten 10 ½ lengths as the 3-5 favorite, in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) last Oct. 25, but Bobby Frankel is unconcerned about her going seven furlongs in a tough field after a three-month layoff.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Island Fashion was scratched from Sunday's El Encino Stakes (gr. II) and will point to next Sunday's Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) instead, trainer Marcelo Polanco said Sunday.
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Affluent and jockey Alex Solis found room on the inside behind a wall of horses in the stretch and went on to defeat heavily-favored Sightseek in the Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) for fillies and mares Saturday at Santa Anita.
Saturday, January 25, 2003
Juddmonte Farms' Sightseek makes her grade I debut Saturday in the $200,000 seven furlong Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita.
Friday, January 24, 2003
Trainer Cliff Sise Jr. fired two bullets Saturday morning at Santa Anita, when he sent out Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) probables Kitty On The Track and Reine des Neiges.
Sunday, January 19, 2003
Even-money favorite Kalookan Queen alternately set and pressed a fast pace, drew away in upper stretch, and held off a fast-closing Leading Light in deep stretch to win Saturday's $200,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) by a half-length at Santa Anita.
Saturday, January 26, 2002
Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Squirtle Squirt drilled six furlongs in 1:13 at Hollywood Park for Bobby Frankel on Sunday as he prepares for his return in Sunday's Palos Verdes Handicap (gr. II).
Monday, January 21, 2002
Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Squirtle Squirt drilled six furlongs in 1:13 at Hollywood Park for Bobby Frankel on Sunday as he prepares for his return in Sunday's Palos Verdes Handicap (gr. II).
Monday, January 21, 2002
When Kona Gold was scratched by trainer Bruce Headley, the Palos Verdes became a showdown between 8-year-olds Big Jag and Men's Exclusive.
Sunday, January 28, 2001
