Home Sweet Aspen held off a determined bid from Sugarinthemorning in deep stretch to win the $300,000 Santa Monica Stakes (gr. I) by a head.
Under Joel Rosario, Home Sweet Aspen sped away from the gate to grab the early lead while being pressured by 2-1 favorite Rumor, as well as Sugarinthemorning. Teddy's Promise, coming off of a dominating win in the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) on the last day of 2011, was back behind them in fourth.
The early fractions fairly moderate, as Rumor took over the lead through an opening quarter in :22.70 and a half-mile in :45.42. However, as the field turned for home, Rumor surprisingly had nothing left and began to fade. This left Home Sweet Aspen and Sugarinthemorning together on the lead. Teddy's Promise was in behind them looking for racing room, but had nowhere to go and was forced to check. As it turned out, Home Sweet Aspen and Sugarinthemorning maintained their advantage throughout the homestretch, their only challenges coming from eachother. It appeared briefly as though Sugarinthemorning was going to secure the victory, but Home Sweet Aspen turned her back to win desperately. The final time for seven furlongs was 1:21.42.
She's Cheeky rallied on the far outside to finish third, with Big Tiz completing the superfecta. The winner is trained by John Sadler and owned by Craig Stables.
-Keelerman
No comments:
Post a Comment