Longshot Si Sage Stuns Field in Last Tycoon

French-bred Si Sage provided a shock at a drizzly Santa Anita Park April 25, winning the Last Tycoon Stakes (gr. IIIT)  by 3 1/4 lengths at 42-1 odds.



The longest shot by far in the field, the 5-year-old horse by Sageburg added blinkers for the first time in his career , broke a 12-race losing streak, and came into the Last Tycoon 0-for-10 in U.S. races after relocating from France in 2013. A three-time allowance winner in his native country and third in a minor stakes there in 2013, he raced at claiming levels twice overseas.

"I think the blinkers made a difference on this horse," said winning trainer Darrell Vienna, who came out of the Last Tycoon with his first victory of the year and first graded stakes score since 2009. "(Jockey) Elvis (Trujillo) has been working him (and) he said maybe blinkers would help, and I think he was right."



Si Sage sat in second for most of the 1 1/4-mile turf test and was the only horse within striking distance of early leader Joes Blazing Aaron, who set fractions of :23.93, :48.30, and 1:13.84 through six furlongs. The leader held a 2 1/2-length advantage, while the rest of the field trailed Si Sage by another four lengths.



Si Sage cut the separation to 1 1/2 lengths after a mile in 1:37.12, then took over the lead at the top of the stretch and finished the 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.08 over a turf course rated firm.



"He's from France, so I think he's used to the softer turf," Trujillo said. "We sat behind and he was ready to go in the stretch."



Brazilian-bred Ganesh rallied to finish second, and Irish-bred Abbey Vale was a nose back in third to complete the international trifecta ($1,631.50 for $1).



The winner paid $87.60, $26, and $10.80 across the board. Ganesh delivered $6.20 and $4.40, while Abbey Vale returned $4.40 to show. The $1 exacta brought $279.30.



Si Sage showed promise with a second-place finish in last year's San Marcos (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita, but hadn't finished better than fourth in his six races leading up to the Last Tycoon.



"He proved that finally he can win a race for us," Vienna said.



Owned by Red Baron's Barn, Rancho Temescal, and Vayaconsuerte, Si Sage increased his earnings to $255,450 with the $60,000 winner's share and improved his career record to 4-6-2 from 23 career starts.



Third choice Power Foot was fourth, followed by Quick Casablanca, Play Hard to Get, Joes Blazing Aaron, and 8-5 favorite Big John B trailed in last every step of the way.



"The grass was way too soft for him today," said Big John B's jockey, Mike Smith. "He wasn't even about to pick his feet up."