Hariboux Rallies to Win Santa Anita's Pasadena Stakes
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Hariboux wins the Pasadena Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Relaxed early, Hariboux rallied through the stretch to overtake favored Smooth Like Strait en route to winning the Feb. 29, $102,000 Pasadena Stakes at Santa Anita Park by one length under Umberto Rispoli. Trained by Jeff Mullins, Hariboux raced a mile on firm turf in 1:34.07.
The Havana Gold gelding, next to last in a field of nine sophomores heading into the clubhouse turn, began picking up the pace leaving the half-mile pole and had two horses beat while about six lengths off the lead set by Smooth Like Strait three furlongs out. Hariboux was full of run leaving the quarter pole and Rispoli split horses three from the rail. He collared the favorite a sixteenth of a mile from home and won under an energetic hand ride.
"I watched film of this horse before I rode him the last time," to a close second-place finish in the one-mile Eddie Logan Stakes Dec. 29 on Santa Anita's turf, said Rispoli. "You could see that if you put him in the race early, he will pull quite a bit. We decided he needs to be taken off the pace and it's best for him.
"Today, I was 100% sure there was enough speed in the race, so Jeff said, 'OK, take him back.' We were able to save ground and coming around the last turn, a gap was open, so why go around?"
Off as the second choice at 3-1, Hariboux paid $8.20 to win.
Fractions for the race were :22.59, :45.53, 1:09.46, and 1:21.92.
Owned by Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal, Hariboux notched his first stakes win and second victory for Mullins in his fifth stateside start. With the winner's share of $60,000, he boosted his earnings to $134,931 from an overall mark of 10-5-2-1.
"Umberto's done a great job with him," said Mullins, who teamed for victory again with Rispoli two races later, giving each a triple on the day. "He's a very studious guy and he's a strong finisher. He's been able to take him back, drop the reins, and he's relaxing very well. He showed a nice turn of foot today and he's looking like he's going to be a really nice horse."
Smooth Like Strait, ridden by Geovanni Franco, was gallant in defeat, carving out all the early fractions while finishing 3 3/4 lengths in front of third-place Club Aspen.
The winner, out of the Sir Percy mare Royal Warranty, was bred in Britain by Lady Gillian Brunton. He raced in Britain for his first five starts as a 2-year-old.
Hariboux went through two overseas sales, most recently selling for the equivalent of $15,147 when purchased by Philippa Mains from the Jamie Railton consignment to the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2018.