Burgoo Alley Upsets Spanish Loveaffair in Autumn Miss
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Burgoo Alley rallies under Umberto Rispoli to win the Autumn Miss Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Under patient handling from Umberto Rispoli, Irish-bred Burgoo Alley rallied off the turn for home to overhaul favored Spanish Loveaffair late and take the $101,500 Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) Oct. 30 at Santa Anita Park by a half-length.
Fifth at the rail, about three lengths off the lead around the first turn, Burgoo Alley held her position between horses while a joint third, about 1 1/2 lengths off the lead with a quarter-mile to run. From there, Rispoli called up Burgoo Alley and she demonstrated a nice turn of foot to post her first stakes win.
Trained by Phil D'Amato, Burgoo Alley raced a mile on firm turf in 1:34.37 following early fractions of :23, :47.57, 1:11.16, and 1:22.86.
"We got a very polished ride from Umberto," said D'Amato. "He rode with confidence and he saw the pace was fast enough. He saved ground, split 'em turning for home at the right time, and we just got up."
Most recently a troubled third going 6 1/2 furlongs down Santa Anita's hillside turf course in the Unzip Me Stakes Oct. 3, Burgoo Alley was off at 5-1 in a field of eight sophomore fillies and paid $12.60 to win.
"I think the distance is the key for her," said Rispoli, who guided Burgoo Alley to a one-mile turf allowance win two starts back Aug. 14 at Del Mar. "…I knew today that I could end up in a nice spot. She was sharp from the gate, giving me the chance to be where I wanted to be, just behind the favorite and I got a very nice trip."
Owned by CYBT, Michael Nentwig, and Ray Pagano, Burgoo Alley, who was winless in three starts in Ireland, picked up her third win in six stateside starts and improved her overall record to 3-2-1 in nine starts. With the winner's share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $170,330.
Spanish Loveaffair, who was coming off the best race of her career in winning Belmont Park's Pebbles Stakes Sept. 19, made her Southern California debut for Mark Casse and took late betting action to start at 5-2.
Second to the top of the lane just off of Zero Tolerance , Spanish Loveaffair made the lead a furlong out under Abel Cedillo but was second-best on the day, finishing one length in front of Javanica . The latter, ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, rallied from fourth at the quarter pole to outrun Zero Tolerance by a half-length for the show.
Burgoo Alley, bred by Eoghan Grogan, is out of the unraced Daylami mare Nurama . The mare has three winners from seven starters out of nine foals. The youngest of her produce is a U S Navy Flag colt born this year.
The winner went through public auction two years ago when part of the Killourney Mor Farm consignment at the Goffs February Mixed Sale, falling short of her reserve when bidding stalled at the equivalent of $18,300.