Spirit of Makena Takes Stakes Debut in San Carlos
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Spirit of Makena wins the San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Debuting in stakes company, Bruce Chandler's homebred Spirit of Makena emerged victorious in the $200,500 San Carlos Stakes (G3) March 11 at Santa Anita Park.
The Kentucky-bred son of Ghostzapper trained by George Papaprodromou settled into second eary under jockey Joe Bravo while favored Forbidden Kingdom showed the way in :22.60 and :44.96 over the dirt track rated good. As turn approached, Spirit of Makena surged to pass the frontrunner in 1:08.56 and maintained a clear advantage to win the seven-furlong dirt event by 1 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:22.06.
Forbidden Kingdom was runner-up with slight favorite Get Her Number 1 1/4 lengths back for third.
Spirit of Makena ($7) is nearly undefeated with a record of 3-1-0 from four starts. His earnings increased to $227,600.
"Coming out of the last race he won, he came out of it great, and he's been training great," Papaprodromou said. "He was doing great leading into this race, and we tried. Obviously, it was a tough spot (but) we gave it a shot. He ran huge, and what can I say? He's a nice horse."
Chandler bred the 5-year-old horse out of his Gilded Time mare Win for M'Lou, an earner of $115,350 during her 14-race career. The dam has three winners from five foals to race. Her last reported foal is a 3-year-old Merit Man filly.