Harriett Lane wins the La Habra.
Favored Harriett Lane rallied five wide coming across the dirt and overtook pacesetter Bettarun Fast in mid-stretch to win the $109,450 La Habra for 3-year-old fillies on the Santa Anita hillside turf course Sunday.With regular rider Kent Desormeaux aboard for trainer Ted West, the beautifully bred chestnut filly won her stakes debut for her owners, country singer Toby Keith's Dream Walkin Farms Inc. and Susan Magnier. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Giant's Causeway -Double Park (by Lycius) defeated Bettarun Fast by 1 1/4 lengths for her third straight win, all on the grass. The runner-up was one length ahead of Dance Daily. The winning time was 1:13 4/5 on firm going.Harriett Lane, the 13-10 favorite in the field of seven, chased the pace off the rail before angling out on the dirt portion of the track. She wore down her rivals through the stretch run under urging from Desormeaux. Bettarun Fast, ridden by Aaron Gryder, showed the way to mid-stretch with fractions of :22 and :44 4/5 while maintaining a one-length advantage over Sheztoohot, who faded to last in the stretch. Dance Daily, a grade II winner on the dirt earlier in the meeting, made her move for Victor Espinoza on the outside of the winner but had to settle for third."She's really come full cycle from the first time I rode her," Desormeaux noted of the winner. "Mr. West's done his thing, and I just kept her between the fences."Harriett Lane has started six straight times on the grass after beginning her career with a pair of mediocre tries on the Del Mar main track last summer. Her last win came on the downhill course over optional claiming allowance rivals Feb. 4. She earned $65,670 Sunday and has won three of six on the grass while banking a total of $141,620."You won't see her on dirt probably ever," West assured. "She's won going a mile, so she's kind of versatile in that regard."She paid $4.60, $3 and $2.20. Bettarun Fast returned $5 and $3.40. Dance Daily's show price was $3.Brenda Meova ran fourth, with the Irish-bred Multiple, the 5-2 second choice, weakening late to finish fifth. Watch Me Win and Sheztoohot trailed.(Chart, Equibase)
