Creative Cause looked like a potential star in the Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) this afternoon at Santa Anita Park, winning the mile and a sixteenth juvenile race by an impressive four lengths.
Under Joel Rosario, the 9-5 second choice settled into second behind pacesetting Ruler of Dubai, who led by a length through fractions of :23 2/5 and :48 2/5. Third choice Basmati was rating three wide in third, followed to his inside by favored Drill, who was coming off of a victory in the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I).
Around the far turn Creative Cause moved closer to the lead under no urging as Ruler of Dubai was asked for more. Basmati was not accelerated on the far outside, and with longshots Loukas and Super Candy not going anywhere fast, this left Drill as the only other contender. But even he, despite splitting horses cleanly to make his run, could not catch Creative Cause. The latter was simply too good, opening up under urging to coast home a decisive winner. Drill gamely chased him home in second, while Ruler of Dubai held off Basmati by a half-length for third. The final time was a quick 1:42.66.
The victory made up to some extent for Creative Cause's loss in the Del Mar Futurity, a race in which he encountered serious stretch traffic before finishing a close third behind Drill.
-Keelerman
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