Tara's Tango doesn't disappoint in Santa Maria

Arcadia, CA

Favored Tara's Tango works out perfect trip to kick clear and take the Grade II Santa Maria Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita.

Jockey Martin Garcia kept the favorite in a strong hold and out of the quick opening fractions of :23 and :46 for the 1 1/16 mile distance, before sweeping three wide and pulling clear late to victory.

Tara's Tango closed from fifth in the final three furlongs and finished a half length clear of a game Yahilwa, who held on gamely after dueling through those quick splits. Living The Life rounded out the top three, finishing another 3/4 lengths back in third.

The 4-year-old filly returned $5.80 to win and ran the race in an average final time of 1:44.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he was pleased the way the race set up for his filly.

Tara's Tango has now earned over $300,000 and her next race might be in the Santa Margarita Invitational on March 19 at Santa Anita.

Songbird rules in Las Virgenes

Arcadia, CA

Songbird continued her dominance as she romped to victory in Saturday's Grade II Las Virgenes Stakes.

Making her first start since October, after taking the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland, the champion took the stakes race by a measured 6 1/2 lengths.

Jockey Mike Smith had Songbird geared down to a morning workout once they crossed the wire, started her three-year-old campaign in dominate fashion.

The three-year-old filly cruised on the lead through her own opening fractions of :23 and :47. Finishing the 1 mile race in an effortless final time of 1:36.

Land Over Sea, who finished seventh in the BC Juvenile Fillies, ran second, and maiden She's a Warrior rounded out the distant trifecta.

Songbird, the heavy favorite for good reason, returned $2.10 to win.

Owner Rick Porter said he has no desire to run his filly against the boys this spring, ruling out a start in the Kentucky Derby or any prep races leading up to that race.

Songbird has now earned over $1.5 million and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said the Santa Anita Oaks on April 9 is the next race on the horizon.

Hoppertunity wins a thriller in San Antonio

Arcadia, CA

Hard trying Hoppertunity snaps losing streak and wins photo in taking the Grade II San Antonio Stakes Saturday afternoon.

The five-year-old settled near the back of the field under jockey Flavien Prat, before picking off the leaders and holding on to a nose victory over the fast closing Imperative.

Cat Burglar set a fast pace of :23, :46, and 1:10 opening fractions to help set it up for the off-the-pace runners in Hoppertunity and Imperative.

Prat had the favorite very wide around the turn to make his run in the clear down the stretch. Jockey Mike Smith also took the same route guiding Imperative to his outside for his final run.

Donworth completed the trifecta, finishing in third, and ran a solid race just 1 3/4 lengths behind the top two after being a part of the fast opening fractions.

Hoppertunity returned $5.80 to win and ran the 1 1/8 mile race in a final time of  1:48.

The Bob Baffert trained stakes winner now spots five wins from 18 career starts with a $1.87 million bankroll.  

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.