N.T.S. Stable’s 3-year-old filly Annabill extended her win streak to three races after her victory in the $100,000 Chaposa Springs Handicap at Calder on Saturday.
Always near the front, the Florida-bred daughter of Outflanker, ridden by John Velazquez, battled against Grecian Lover and Cornelio Velasquez in deep stretch to emerge the winner by just a neck. It was 2 ¼ lengths back to Toll Taker in third. Grecian Lover was the slight 8-5 favorite over Toll Taker, who also went off at 8-5 with Rafael Bejarano aboard.
Annabill carried 113 pounds, three less than top-weighted Grecian Lover and Toll Taker.
Trained by Milton Wolfson at Calder, Annabill was claimed in August for $25,000. She won an overnight stakes at Calder last month going seven furlongs, the same distance as the Chaposa Springs, and this was her biggest stakes victory to date. All 14 of the bay filly's starts have come on the Calder main track, with a record of seven wins, four seconds, and one third. She has earned $182,390.
“She’s just a stone runner and keeps improving every time," Wolfson said. "I think she’s hit a new level with today’s performance. To be honest, the day I dropped the claim, I might not have done it if I got a good look at her head on. She has a funny way of going, but that doesn’t stop her from running."
He said Annabill would be considered for the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint at Gulfstream on Jan. 27. Peter Fuller bred the winner, who is out of the Explodent mare A.J.'s Hot Shot.
Annabill covered the seven-eighths in 1:24.68. Sent off at 2-to-1 odds, she returned $6.60, $3.20, and $2.10. Grecian Lover paid $3 and $2.10, while Toll Taker returned $2.10 for the show.
Pleasant Laughter, For Gillian, and My Monarchos followed.
Chart, Equibase