Paddle On Polly First Winner for First-Crop Sire Smokem

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Photo: Benoit Photo
Paddle On Polly (between horses) leads a 1-2-3 finish for Smokem fillies in the second race May 13 at Santa Anita Park

Paddle On Polly  became the first winner for first-crop sire Smokem  when she narrowly took a $67,000 maiden contest for California-bred juveniles in the second race May 13 at Santa Anita Park. Running second and third behind her in a three-horse photo were a pair of other fillies by the stallion.

Making her second start after a debut fourth at Santa Anita April 30, Paddle On Polly shot to the front in the 4 1/2-furlong dash on the main track and maintained a slight advantage throughout. She turned aside Smokem for You  leaving the turn and outlasted hard-charging It's Saul Right  for a head victory. She was timed in :54.18 on a fast track, paying $26.80.

Apprentice Emily Ellingwood rode the winner for trainer Lisa Bernard, who co-owns the filly with Chris Fosselman and Michael John Ryan.

Ryan purchased the Terry C. Lovingier-bred filly for $10,000 from the Lovacres Ranch consignment to the 2021 Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings and Horses of All Ages Sale.

Smokem (Union Rags  ) stands in California at Lovacres Ranch for $5,000. The 7-year-old horse won his debut at Del Mar in 2017 and placed in four consecutive stakes before his retirement. 

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Besides the top three finishers from Friday's second race, Smokem is the sire of Smokin Amelia , who ran a distant second to eventual stakes winner Tom's Regret  in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita April 15.