LA FORCE UPSETS HEAVILY FAVORED PARADISE WOODS IN GRADE II SANTA MARIA

By Mike Willman —-

LA FORCE UPSETS HEAVILY FAVORED PARADISE WOODS AS SHE RALLIES FROM LAST TO TAKE GRADE II, $200,000 SANTA MARIA STAKES BY 1 ¼ LENGTHS UNDER VAN DYKE; TRAINED BY GALLAGHER, SHE GETS 1 1/16 MILES IN 1:45.91

ARCADIA, Calif. (June 1, 2019)—German-bred La Force sprung a major surprise on Saturday at Santa Anita, as she rallied from last to upset heavily favored Paradise Woods by 1 ¼ lengths in the Grade II, $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes under Drayden Van Dyke. Trained by Paddy Gallagher, La Force, a 5-year-old mare, got 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.91.

With Paradise Woods taking a stutter-step at the break, the complexion of the race changed significantly, but although the fractions were modest, La Force was still able to mount an impressive rally from off the pace.

“The filly was in a good spot,” said Gallagher. “The favorite stumbled at the start, I have to watch the replay, but we thought she would be on the lead, but it didn’t turn out that way and La Force put it together and we’re very happy. Chuck gave instructions to (Van Dyke) when we were in the paddock and that was it.”

Last but on the move three furlongs from home, La Force rallied five-wide at the top of the stretch and held off Paradise Woods, who had waited while tucked inside around the far turn.

Most recently second, beaten 10 ½ lengths by Paradise Woods in the Grade II Santa Margarita Stakes on April 27, La Force was the second choice among five fillies and mares three and up at 5-1 and paid $12.80, $2.40 and $2.10.

“Mike (Smith) and Paradise Woods stumbling at the start really didn’t change anything for me,” said Van Dyke. “I had a great outside post and she tends to like being in the clear…It did help her a little, (Paradise Woods) stumbling, obviously, because it made the trip more difficult for her and only helped us. She’s just an honest trying filly, she’s very, very classy.

“Like I said, she really brings it every time. It’s very rewarding getting this win with her. She ran second to Unique Bella so many times, so I really believe she deserves this.”

Owned by Ward and Roberta Williford and Charles Winner (who is also Chairman of the CHRB), La Force, who is multiple Grade I stakes placed, got her first ever stakes win today and improved her overall mark to 25-3-8-4. With the winner’s share of $120,000, she increased her earnings to $550,800.

Even though she stumbled leaving the gate and was therefore off the pace instead of on it, it appeared Smith was in the process of engineering an improbable come from behind win around the far turn aboard Paradise Woods.

“I still thought I could win at the quarter pole, but by the time I got out, the winner kicked away from us and we couldn’t get ’em,” Smith said.

The overwhelming 1-5 favorite, Paradise Woods finished 3 ½ lengths in front of Just a Smidge and paid $2.10 and $2.10.

Ridden by Martin Garcia, Just a Smidge, who broke from the rail, carved out the early pace but was third best, finishing 3 ¾ lengths in front of Exuberance. Off at 13-1, Just a Smidge paid $2.80 to show.

Fractions on the race were 24.21, 48.51, 1:13.32 and 1:39.15.

SANTA MARIA STAKES (GII) $200,000 QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES
DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, LA FORCE, WINNER: “Mike and Paradise Woods stumbling at the start really didn’t change anything for me. I had a great outside post and she tends to like being in the clear, my horse. It did help a little, her stumbling, obviously because it made the trip more difficult for him and only helped us.

“She’s just an honest trying filly, she’s very, very classy.

“Paddy put the cheaters on her today, not blinkers but the firs, just a little on the side to change a little something, change it up and I think it helped. Like I said, she really brings it every time.

“It’s very rewarding getting this win with her. She ran second to Unique Bella so many times so I really believe she deserves this.”

MIKE SMITH, PARADISE WOODS, SECOND: “She stumbled really bad, which she’s done in the past. I still thought I could win it at the quarter pole, but by the time I got out, the winner kicked away from us and we couldn’t get ’em.”

TRAINER QUOTES

PATRICK GALLAGHER, LA FORCE, WINNER: “The filly was in a good spot. The favorite stumbled at the start. I have to watch the replay, but we thought she (Paradise Woods) would be on the lead but it didn’t turn out that way, La Force put it together and we were very happy. Chuck gave instructions to the jockey when we were in the Paddock and that was it.

“We finally got the win today after knocking on the door so many times. We’re just glad to get there and win. Winning a graded race is a big help for a broodmare prospect so now, she’s done that. We’re really, really happy with her performance.

“Yes, anything can happen in racing and something just happened. The favorite (Paradise Woods) was one-to-five and she didn’t probably have her best shot today. La Force has been running in these spots for quite a while now and she’s been close and then…sometimes you get disappointed and you really shouldn’t. If you’re running second or third in a graded stakes with a filly, you should always be very happy.”

OWNER QUOTES

CHARLES WINNER, LA FORCE, WINNER: “It is very rewarding, thank you to Paddy who did a great job, thank you to Drayden who always rides her beautifully. She tries hard every single time. Paddy’s done a great job with her and it all worked out today. Drayden told me she’d win!

“I’m so happy for my partners Ro and Ward. It was a terrific race, and to beat Paradise Woods was really special because she is a special horse. We’re dreaming!”

ROBERTA WILLIFORD, LA FORCE, WINNER: “We’re happy, anytime you win your happy. I’m proud of the filly, I’m proud of Paddy, I love my co-owner and my husband.”

WARD WILLIFORD, LA FORCE, WINNER: I’m smiling this is a thrill, winning a graded stakes at Santa Anita is as good as it gets. I’m sure there’s a few things we can maybe do more of, but this was absolutely fabulous”

NOTES: The winning owners are Roberta Williford, Ward Williford, and Charles Winner.

ABOUT SANTA ANITA PARK
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