Powerful Move Carries Sanenus to Victory in La Canada
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Umberto Rispoli gives a victory pat to Sanenus as they win the La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita Park
A top-level winner in her native land, Chilean-bred Sanenus broke through at the graded level in North America Jan. 9 in the $201,000 La Canada Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.
The 5-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy drew off to a six-length win in the 1 1/16-mile test for fillies and mares 4-years-old and upwards after making an early move that put her into prime position. The victory was reminiscent of scores in Chile that carried her to a championship title as the country's leading 2-year-old filly in 2019.
Hard Not to Love, the 3-1 second choice, set out for the early lead through a quarter in :23.30, while 4-5 favorite Fighting Mad took over for a :46.37 half. With new partner Umberto Rispoli in the irons, Sanenus ranged up from third and emerged with the advantage through three-quarters in 1:11.28.
"Umberto did a great job," trainer Mike McCarthy said. "He had to niggle a little bit at her to kind of keep her in the game around the first turn. I thought she was in a great position up the backside and she went up to engage those fillies leaving the half-mile pole. At the quarter, she had her ears up and I love the way she opened up."
Sanenus drew off through a 1:38.20 mile and finished in 1:45.44 over the fast track.
"I've been on her several times in the morning," said Rispoli. "I knew she was a very good filly. Today, I asked her a bit at the half-mile pole and she responded well. At the top of the stretch, she was looking around and I was just hoping she was going to stay focused. She finished well and I think she has more there."
Miss Stormy D rallied to finish second by a nose at odds of 14-1 over Hard Not to Love. It was 6 1/2 lengths back to Never Be Enough, who was followed home by Fighting Mad, Proud Emma, and Message.
Winner of the 2019 Tanteo de Potrancas (G1) at 3 in her native country, where she started eight times before she was imported to the United States, Sanenus was third last out in the Nov. 21 Chilukki Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, her North American stakes debut. She was sent off at odds of 7-1 Saturday, and returned $17 on a $2 ticket in her first stateside win in four tries.
"The La Canada has a great history and a lot of really nice mares have won this race over the years, and this is a nice race to have on her résumé," McCarthy said.
Sanenus is out of the Tale of the Cat mare Belgian Chocolate, who is also the dam of black-type winner Appealing Maggie (Successful Appeal). She improved her record to 5-2-2 from 12 starts, with earnings of $219,700.