Fashionably Fast Wins Fifth Straight in Cal Cup Sprint
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Fashionably Fast (inside) wins the California Cup Sprint Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Head and head for the early lead, Harris Farms' homebred Fashionably Fast proved tough late in the Jan. 18, $150,000 California Cup Sprint Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The 5-year-old Lucky Pulpit gelding repelled a stout challenge from late-closing Lieutenant Dan to score his fifth consecutive victory dating to July 27 at Del Mar.
Ridden by Tiago Pereira and trained by Dean Pederson, Fashionably Fast completed six furlongs for older California-bred or -sired horses in 1:09.60 on a fast main track.
"I don't know if that is his ideal running style, but you got to ride to win," Pederson said. "I kind of left it in (Pereira's) hands. The horse was just game as can be coming down the stretch. The horse has done so much for us, how can you be disappointed in anything he does? We are just very thankful to be in this position and for the opportunity to have this horse. You can't train for better owners."
Fashionably Fast, campaigned by Harris Farms, Per Antonsen, and John Nicoletti, was a head off pacesetter Baja Sur through fractions of :21.75 and :44.72 before his rival gave way. Fashionably Fast held off Lieutenant Dan by a neck. Brandothebartender was third.
"Our plan was to stay just behind (Baja Sur) and then push on the outside when we came for home," Pereira said. "I switched the whip in the stretch, and when (Lieutenant Dan) came outside of us, he really responded. … I love this horse."
Leading up to the California Cup Sprint, Fashionably Fast won the Harris Farm Stakes at Fresno and the Cary Grant Stakes at Del Mar, both with Pereira aboard.
Video: California Cup Sprint S. (BT)
Stealthediamonds Goes All the Way
Claimed two starts back for $80,000, trainer Mike Puype's Stealthediamonds stole away on a comfortable lead and never relinquished command in the $150,500 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Agapito Delgadillo, the 4-year-old Unusual Heat filly ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:01.61 on a course rated firm. She led every step and held on by half a length to defeat the favorite, Just Grazed Me, in the event for California-bred or -sired fillies and mares.
"She got away pretty easy, and she was just breezing," Delgadillo said. "At the top of the lane, I asked her for more and she put it in another gear and we came home easily."
Stealthediamonds enjoyed a 1 1/2-length to two-length lead through fractions of :22.16 and :44.73 before Just Grazed Me began to close the gap. Though willing, Just Grazed Me had to settle for second after a slow start. She beat third-place Apache Princess by three-quarters of a length.
The turf sprint was the first stakes win for Stealthediamonds, who became the 50th black-type winner sired by Unusual Heat.
"With her speed, we certainly expected to be in front," said Puype, who trains Stealthediamonds for James and Ywachetta Driver. "When the favorite made her bid through the stretch, there was some concern because she's such a good horse, but Agapito kept our filly going. We claimed her (on Oct. 27) with this (race) in mind, because opportunities like this don't come along too often. Her speed makes her dangerous, especially when there's no other speed in the race."