Wednesday, January 10, 2018
MENDED TAKES ON THE BIG SHOTS AT SANTA ANITA
Mended, who has won 10 straight races since being claimed for $12,500 last year, looks to extend her phenomenal win streak to 11 in The $200,000 Grade 2 La Canada Stakes this Saturday at Santa Anita. According to trainer John Martin, the daughter of Broken Vow has trained very well since a decisive six and three-quarter length score in The $110,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slipper at Gulfstream Park last month.
“Mended is doing just as well as she was heading into her last race in Florida,” said Martin. “This will be a big test for her. One thing that’s good about her is she is tactical. I know she’s been in front early every time she’s won but I’m telling you…she doesn’t need the lead. She’s a smart filly and can stalk if she needs to.”
After being claimed by Martin on January 6, 2017, the 4-year-old filly steadily climbed the class ladder and continued to improve, with her confidence growing each and every start. One year later, Mended has earned $185,900 for owners Troy and Maritza Onorato and has won at four different racetracks: Del Mar, Golden Gate, Gulfstream Park and Pleasanton.
“The owner claimed her. All credit goes to the owner,” said Martin. “He liked her figures on the Thoro-graph sheets. She started winning with us and her confidence grew.”
The two likely favorites in The La Canada are Majestic Heat, winner of The Grade 2 Bayakoa Stakes at Los Alamitos, and Mopotism, who most recently ran third in The Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita. Ricky Gonzalez, who has ridden Mended in her last 9 races, will fly down to Santa Anita to ride once again. The 22-year-old journeyman rider has plenty of confidence in his star filly, although he understands the competition is steep this time around.
“She’s a nice filly and has been working good,” said Gonzalez. “She does not need the lead so if someone decides to go crazy [up front], I can take back. I will play it by the break. We’re going to find out how good she is.”
The La Canada will go off as Race 8 on the 9-race card, with post time at 4:00 p.m. PST. Mended drew post position 3 of 8.
FINISH LINES: Northern California shipper Seattle Serenade is 12-1 on the morning line in the $75,000 Louisiana Stakes at The Fair Grounds this Saturday. Seattle Serenade was last seen running fourth in The Berkeley Handicap and won The Bulldog Stakes at Fresno earlier in the Fall. Eclipse award winning jockey Javier Castellano rides for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Hollendorfer also sends out 3-year-old colt Instilled Regard (4-1 morning line) in The $200,000 Grade 3 LeComte, a Kentucky Derby points race…Two fall meet stakes winners put up great showings against tough Southern California stakes company this past weekend at Santa Anita. Berkeley Handicap winner Editore ran third in The Grade 2 $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes on turf last Saturday while Golden Gate Debutante victor Steph Being Steph finished second in The Grade 2 $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Sunday…Trainer Blaine Wright sends out stakes winner Aqua Frio in The $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile at Turf Paradise this Saturday. The one-mile turf event attracted a field of 11, with Aqua Frio (6-1 on the morning line) drawing the far outside post. Golden Gate Fields jockey Julien Couton rides…Beginning this week, Golden Gate will only run races on the Tapeta main track. Turf racing will resume in late March, just in time for The San Francisco Mile on March 31… Along with the usual Thursday-Sunday live racing schedule this week, Golden Gate Fields will also offer holiday racing on Monday, January 15. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday which was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. First post time is at 12:45 PM PST, with gates set to open at 10:00 A.M…Nominations for the $100,000 California Derby close tomorrow (Thursday, January 12.) The California Derby, a mile and a sixteenth race for 3-year-olds, will be run next Saturday, January 20.
-30-