Back On Turf, Whatsthescript Rolls in Pasadena

(from Santa Anita report)
Whatsthescript, an Irish import making his first start for Santa Anita’s leading trainer Doug O’Neill, was a dominant winner of Friday’s $81,400 Pasadena Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf.

The bay colt by Royal Applause, ridden by Isaias Enriquez, scooted through an opening along the rail turning into the stretch and went on to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths over Silent South while running the distance in 1:33.88. Blues Street finished third, another two lengths back in the field of 11.

The winner, a slight favorite, paid $6.60, $4 and $2.80. Silent South, ridden by Richard Migliore, returned $6.80 and $4.80. The show price on Blues Street, with Garrett Gomez up, was $3.

It was the first start for Whatsthescript since finishing 10th and last in the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) last December, his only start on a surface other than grass during his seven-race career.

Subsequently transferred to O’Neill’s barn by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Whatsthescript likely will remain on turf after earning $48,840 on Friday to boost his lifetime bankroll to $151,881 from four wins and a pair of thirds.

Jockey David Flores, who had six mounts on Friday’s eight-race program, won with four of them including the first three races and the finale.

Juddmonte Farms’ English homebred Price Tag provided Flores with his second victory while a geared-down winner of her first start since capturing Hollywood Park’s Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) in her U.S. debut last Nov. 26.

Preparing for Keeneland’s Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IIT) on April 14, the 4-year-old bay filly defeated second choice Ballado’s Thunder by one length in the $63,000 allowance race contested at one mile on turf. The final time was 1:35.91 with the winner paying $2.60.

A group I winner in France before coming to the United States, Price Tag earned $37,800 for Friday’s exercise to increase her career total to $494,977 from a 4-0-2 record in 11 races.

(Chart, Equibase)