Creative Cause rebounded from a third-place finish in the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) last month to win the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) this afternoon at Santa Anita Park in excellent fashion.
Ridden to victory by Joel Rosario, Creative Cause settled into the fifth position early on as American Act set a good pace of :22.95 and :45.98. Bodemeister was tracking him in second, followed on the outside by Tiz Point and toward the rail by Groovin' Solo. Liaison, Midnight Transfer, Empire Way, Rousing Sermon, and Blingo were the early trailers.
The positions remained relatively unchanged as the field raced down the backstretch, although Bodemeister did move up to take over the lead from American Act. However, around the far turn, Creative Cause moved up boldly to challenge for the lead, sweeping into contention with a four-wide bid. As the field entered the homestretch, Bodemeister still held the lead, but Creative Cause was presenting a strong challenge, and the two locked together for a thrilling stretch duel. Both colts drifted outward somewhat in mid-stretch, but they straightened out in deep stretch, after which Creative Cause wore down his stubborn rival to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:41.84.
Midnight Transfer finished third after looming boldly in deep stretch, while Liaison completed the superfecta. The winner, trained by Mike Harrington, has now won four of his seven starts, including victories in the Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) and Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) as a juvenile.
-Keelerman
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