Cistron Nips Bound for Nowhere in San Simeon Battle
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Cistron (outside) defeats Bound for Nowhere by a head in the San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Unraced since winning a grade 1 on dirt last July, Hronis Racing's Cistron got a perfect stalk-and-pounce trip to win the $101,000 San Simeon Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park by a head over graded stakes-winning Kentucky invader Bound for Nowhere March 21.
After his mount broke sharply from post 4 in a field of seven, Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza bided his time on Cistron early, allowing the mare Surrender Now and 1-2 favorite Bound for Nowhere to dictate the early running. Turning for home, Cistron angled three-deep off the rail and was up in time to claim victory.
Both the winner and runner-up are 6-year-olds by The Factor , who stands for $17,500 at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky.
"It's all about timing and confidence," said Espinoza, who had guided Cistron to a pair of graded stakes wins in his last three starts, most recently the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar July 27. "I know this is a good horse and he broke sharp, but when that mare outside of me went so fast, I thought I didn't want to empty the tank too early. I gambled a little bit and it worked out great."
Off as the 4-1 second choice in a field of seven older runners, Cistron paid $10.80 to win. Trained by John Sadler, he covered 5 1/2 furlongs over a Santa Anita turf listed as good in 1:02.68 following fractions of :22.08 and :44.91.
A close second four starts back in last year's San Simeon when contested at 6 1/2 furlongs down the hillside turf course, Cistron now has three graded stakes wins from an overall mark of 28-6-7-6. With the winner's share of $60,000, he increased his earnings to $760,719.
Bred in Kentucky by St. George Farm out of the winless Officer mare Major Allie, Cistron was consigned by Lane's End to the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was purchased by D.M.I. for $180,000.
"He's been away since last summer and we needed a spot to run him in," said Juan Leyva, assistant to Sadler. "He's run well on the grass before and with this race being 5 1/2 (furlongs) instead of five, we thought it would be OK. It's great to have him back and get him going again."
French-bred Murad Khan rallied from off the pace to prevail over King of Speed by a half-length for the show. Pacesetter Surrender Now tired through the drive and checked in last, beaten 4 3/4 lengths.