Smokey Image romps in Cal Cup Derby

Arcadia, CA

Favored Smokey Image did not disappoint in the California Cup Derby Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita.

The three-year-old cruised out front and simply never gave them a chance in taking the $250K stakes by a handily 8 1/2 lengths.

Jockey Victor Espinoza did not have to work hard in guiding the favorite to victory over the other six rivals.

Smokey Image returned $2.80 to win and ran the 1 1/16 mile event in an easy final time of 1:43.

Tough It Out and Xingontothebone completed the top three finishers, but were well beaten.

New trainer Carla Gaines worked her usual magic with the Cal-bred, after taking over back in October.

The victory pushed Smokey Image lifetime earnings to more than $137K.

Coastline rallies in Clockers Corner Stakes

Arcadia, CA

An ultra fast pace helps Coastline take the $75K Clockers Corner Stakes at Santa Anita Sunday afternoon.

Coastline came flying up the rail to take command inside the sixteenth pole and pull way to a 1 1/4 length victory.

The very quick pacesetter, favorite Rocket Heat, set blazing fast opening fractions of :20 and :42 before understandably tiring down the stretch, but kept to task well to hold on to second place.

Cape Wolfe ran on late for third, but with those opening fractions everyone was trying to make up ground.

Coastline completed the come from behind win in a quick 1:12 final time for the 6 1/2F turf race and returned $12.20 to win.

The victory moved Coastline's lifetime earnings to $336,806 with five wins in 19 starts. 

Lost Bus upsets in Santa Monica Stakes

Arcadia, CA

The longest shot on the board in Lost Bus takes the $200K Santa Monica Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Lost Bus at odds of 60-1 fought hard for the lead and did not relinquish it down the stretch.

The four-year-old filly proved ultra game, sitting in third before hitting the front, and hanging on for a head victory while covering the 7F event in a quick 1:21 final time.

Finest City finished a head back in second, but ran a solid race through fast fractions and a claim of foul on the winner by jockey Corey Nakatani, 

Favored Tara's Tango was also right on the wire, finishing within a length of taking the race, but simply ran out of ground on the outside rally. 

Lost Bus returned $131.20 for the win and added another gutsy victory for jockey Fernando Perez.

The filly now has lifetime earnings of more than $255K. 

Blanc proves his turf touch in Astra Stakes

Arcadia, CA

Turf specialist jockey Brice Blanc found the winner's circle again in the turf marathon Astra Stakes Sunday afternoon.

Blanc guided 10-1 longshot Havanna Belle to a powerful 2 1/4 length victory in the $75K Astra.

Havanna Belle was forwardly placed throughout the marathon 1 1/2 mile turf race. Sitting in third, behind a quick opening fraction of :23 for the distance, and took control down the stretch to kick clear to an easy victory at the end.

The 4-year-old filly, trained by Phil D'Amato, returned $22.20 for the win and finished the race in a final time of 2:27.

Longshots Energia Fribby and Sweet as a Rose completed the trifecta. Both finished with a lot of run, but the winner got first run on the rest of the field.

Favorite Gaga A had the lead in this race, but could not keep pace and tired to a fifth place finish. 

Havanna Belle voctory moved her win total to three in 14 starts with total earnings over $111K.

Taris gets perfect trip in La Canada Stakes

Arcadia, CA

Even-money favorite Taris ran like her odds in the Grade II La Canada Stakes Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita.

Taris took advantage of a small field of five to work out the perfect trip under Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens.

She sat in third through moderate opening fractions, took the lead at the top of the stretch, and kicked clear in the lane to a 5 1/4 length easy victory.

The 5-year-old filly returned $4.00 to win and finished the 1 1/16 mile race in a solid time of 1:44.

Birdatthewire ran along for second, but was a non-factor for the win, while Yahilwa tired to third.

Taris now has seven wins in eleven starts. with career earnings of over $800K.