Santa Anita Stable Notes Saturday, April 30, 2022

By Ed Golden —-

STABLE NOTES BY ED GOLDEN

KEYFLOWER SET FOR SUNDAY’S WILSHIRE STAKES

Leonard Powell had Keyflower and Bye Bye Bertie entered in Sunday’s Grade III Wilshire Stakes for fillies and mares three and older at a mile on turf, but will only run only Keyflower, as Bye Bye Bertie was scratched to go in today’s Grade II Santa Margarita Stakes.

“Both horses are doing very well,” the trainer said. “If Keyflower gets a good setup, we should be in good shape.”

Nine of Keyflower’s 11 races have been on turf, all three of her most recent starts in the United States where she had an eventful trip last out in the Grade III Santa Ana on March 26.

“She was too far back and then couldn’t get through,”
Powell said of the four-year-old French-bred daughter of Kheleyf. “Hopefully on Sunday she’ll be just behind the leaders like she was when she won here on Feb. 19.

“But she should be competitive in this race. She just needs to relax.”

The field for the 61st Wilshire, race nine of nine with a 1 p.m. first post time: Amy C, Ryan Curatolo, 6-1; Javanica, Joe Bravo, 7-2; Canoodling, Juan Hernandez, 9-2; Quiet Secretary, Tyler Baze, 20-1; Keyflower, Abel Cedillo, 6-1; Stella Noir, Drayden Van Dyke, 15-1; Carpe Vinum, Ramon Vazquez, 15-1; Eddie’s New Dream, Mario Gutierrez, 6-1; Miss Dracarys, Mike Smith, 5-1; and England’s Rose, Victor Espinoza, 6-1.

SHARAPOVA ELEVATES IN GRADE II SANTA MARGARITA

Sharapova goes from a restricted stakes win at Sunland Park in New Mexico on March 27 to today’s Grade II Santa Margarita Stakes for fillies and mares four and up at 1 1/8 miles.

While the 82nd edition of the Santa Margarita is not the saltiest, it has a rich and prestigious history, having been won since its inception in 1935 by no less than 11 champions, namely Zenyatta (2010), Azeri (2002), Paseana (1994), Bayakoa (1990 and 1989), Susan’s Girl (1973), Gallant Bloom (1970), Gamely (1968), Silver Spoon (1960), Bed o’ Roses (1952), Two Lea (1950) and Busher (1945).

Sharapova is a four-year-old daughter of the Uncle Mo stallion Outwork, “who has a couple crops out there that are OK,” according to trainer Peter Eurton, hopeful she can take advantage of her speed in the longest race of her brief career.

“Santa Anita’s always about pace, isn’t it?” Eurton offered. “Even on the turf it’s about pace, and Sharapova has a bit of that herself, so I’m excited about it.”

The bay will be making only her seventh start in the Santa Margarita but will be piloted by her fifth different jockey in the form of Abel Cedillo, having been ridden in the past by Joel Rosario, Flavien Prat, John Velazquez, Juan Hernandez and Umberto Rispoli (twice).

The Santa Margarita is race 10: Lisette, Mario Gutierrez, 15-1; Bellamore, Victor Espinoza, 15-1; Blue Stripe, Tyler Baze, 6-1; Park Avenue, Juan Hernandez, 7-2; Midnight Jamboree, Mike Smith, 8-1; Sharapova, Abel Cedillo, 5-1; Varda, Drayden Van Dyke, 4-1; Bye Bye Bertie, Diego Herrera, 12-1; and Miss Bigly, Ramon Vazquez, 5-2.

Bye Bye Bertie was scratched from the Santa Margarita and is entered in Sunday’s Grade III Wilshire Stakes at a mile on turf.

A six-year-old mare, she leads all horses in wins at Santa Anita this meet with four victories from four starts and is 11 for 23 overall, but has never won a stakes.

AGAVE RACING GIVES MAJOR GIFT TO BROWN SOCIETY

Agave Racing Stable, owned by Mark Martinez, will present a major gift to the Ed Brown Society (EBS) in Santa Anita’s Winner’s Circle after today’s eighth race, the inaugural Ed Brown Memorial.

Edward D. Brown was born into slavery in 1850 in Lexington, Ky. He went on to apprentice under Ansel Williamson, the African-American trainer of the first Kentucky Derby winner, Aristides, and ultimately became one of the most accomplished horsemen in Thoroughbred racing, winning the Belmont Stakes as a jockey, the Kentucky Derby as a trainer and many stakes as an owner.

“With 1/ST as a partner of the Ed Brown Society, we are delighted to run the Ed Brown Memorial at Santa Anita on Saturday, April 30th, and honored to host the presentation of this generous gift by Agave Racing Stable. This donation will afford more young people of color the opportunity to gain professional exposure and experiences within the thoroughbred industry,” said Aidan Butler, COO, 1/ST Racing.

EBS was founded by Living The Dream Stables, Thoroughbred racing syndicates managed by Greg Harbut and Ray Daniels who furthered the cause of minority participation in the industry through their respective ownership interests in 2020 Derby runner Necker Island.

They, along with Living The Dream Racing Stables’ partners, advance diversity, equity and inclusion through EBS, which celebrates the rich history of African-Americans in the industry.

Martinez’s Agave Racing Stable, Living The Dream Stables and Rockin Robin Stables own Miss Bigly, an entrant in today’s Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita.

Of today’s presentation, Martinez says, “It’s been a pleasure to be a partner with Greg and Ray and now I look forward to extending that relationship to the Ed Brown Society. I appreciate their efforts to bring more diversity to our game and I’m honored to support such a worthy organization.”

In response, EBS Chairman Harbut, whose great-grandfather was the world-renowned groom of Man O’ War, said, “As a third-generation horseman, and one of the few African-American professionals in the industry, I am extremely excited about Agave Racing Stable’s gift to advance our mission.”

FINISH LINES: There were 188 recorded workouts on a busy Saturday morning at Santa Anita, 42 on the training track where Phil D’Amato sent eight through their paces. Michael McCarthy was most active on the main track with 12 workers, among them Empire Gal who went five furlongs from the gate in a bullet 59 seconds flat. A three-year-old daughter of 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker who is the grandsire of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Empire Gal won her only start by 2 ¼ lengths at Del Mar last Nov. 20, going off at 6-1 under Victor Espinoza. Her workout today was the fastest of 53 at the distance, the average time of which was 1:01.09.