Love and Pride, who shipped from the east coast to contest the $250,000 Zenyatta Stakes (gr. I) on Saturday at Santa Anita, made the trip worthwhile by coasting to an easy 3 1/4-length victory.
With Martin Garcia aboard, the Todd Pletcher-trained filly got off to an excellent start and soon took command of the early lead while setting moderate fractions of :23.98 and :48.47 seconds. Via Villaggio, Joyful Victory, and Star Billing were closest to the pace, followed by Switch, Miss Mittagong, Include Me Out, Amani, and Love Theway Youare.
Rounding the final turn, Joyful Victory shifted to the outside and made a run at Love and Pride, but the latter filly responded by finding another gear and extending her lead. From there, the results were never in doubt, as Love and Pride coasted to an easy victory in the very sharp time of 1:43.09 seconds for 1 1/16th miles.
Joyful Victory outfinished Include Me Out by a half-length for second, while the latter filly edged out Via Villaggio by a nose for the show. Amani, Star Billing, Switch, Love Theway Youare, and Miss Mittagong completed the order of finish.
The winner, a daughter of A.P. Indy out of the Storm Cat mare Ile de France, is owned by Green Hills Farm Inc. She has now won two consecutive grade I races, having taken the Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga in her previous start.
-Keelerman
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