Angela Renee Dominant in Chandelier Stakes
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Siena Farm's Angela Renee, beaten more than 19 lengths in the Spinaway Stakes (gr. I) in her last start, rebounded in a big way with a victory in the $300,000 Chandelier Stakes (gr. I) for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita Park Sept. 27 .
With Rafael Bejarano riding for trainer Todd Pletcher, Angela Renee rated in fourth early before making her move and pulling away from 2-1 choice Conquest Eclipse, who finished second. Danette, a maiden, finished third.
The time for the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track was 1:43.45. Angela Renee, shipping in from Belmont Park, was the 5-2 second choice in a field of 12.
Angela Renee, by Bernardini , was bred in Kentucky by her owner. She is a full sister to grade I winner and stallion To Honor and Serve .
The Chandelier is a "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).
Angela Renee, who finished second in the grade II Adirondack Stakes after her debut maiden win, sat in third or fourth in the Chandelier through fractions of :23.08 for the opening quarter-mile and :46.97 for a half-mile set by Sunday Sonnet and jockey Joe Talamo. Angela Renee made her move toward the lead after Sunday Sonnet completed six furlongs in 1:12.02.
She took control in the lane and drew away to win comfortably by 1 1/2 lengths over Conquest Eclipse, who had 3 1/2 lengths on Danette in third.
"I knew Conquest Eclipse was going to be tough to beat and I knew that Sunday Sonnet was going to be the speed," Bejarano said. "I got us right into the race and when I saw Sunday Sonnet go to the lead, I just tried to stay right behind. They showed us the trip.
"When we got to the stretch I made sure we were clear and I knew Conquest Eclipse was coming, so we got the jump on her and we won. I would love to be on her in the Breeders' Cup. I knew she didn't give me everything today, and I'm pretty sure she was saving it for next time."
Corey Nakatani, who rode Conquest Eclipse, said the filly raced well in her first start around two turns.
"She broke hard and she kind of slipped away from there," he said. "We tracked the winner pretty good, and she got the right trip. She's definitely a special filly, and I love the way she's moving forward."
Anglea Renee caught a very sloppy track in the Spinaway at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 31, when she was made the 8-5 favorite. She was bumped at the start and was never never recovered, finishing a distant third.
Mike McCarthy, who saddled Angela Renee for Pletcher, said he didn't give Bejarano any instructions.
"I talked with Todd, and he said the filly was very straightforward, don't take anything away from her that comes easy," McCarthy said. "That was basically it. Todd's a man of a few words. We'll see how she comes out of the race and go from there."
Angela Renee paid $7.20, $4, and $3.20 across the board. Conquest Eclipse returned $3.40 and $2.60, while Danette paid $8.40 to show. The $1 exacta paid $11.10 and the $1 trifecta $144.10.