Post-Race Review
After a lengthy look at an extremely close photo finish that couldn’t quite be called a dead heat, Magical Fantasy was declared the winner of the Santa Barbara Handicap (gr. II). Black Mamba (NZ) finished just a fraction of a hair behind in second, while 5/2 favorite Torque de Queda finished third.
Tizfiz broke first in the mile and a quarter turf race, but Ainamaa soon took over the lead and controlled the field through solid fractions until the top of the stretch. Torque de Queda, boxed in around the turn with no where to go, got out and made a strong run, but was passed by Magical Fantasy three wide. Black Mamba rallied from the back of the pack and even got her nose in front the stride before the wire, but the head bob went to Magical Fantasy under jockey Alex Solis.
Magical Fantasy, sent off at 3 – 1 odds, paid $8.00. The Diesis (GB) filly is trained by Patrick Gallagher.
Pre-Race Analysis
Closing weekend at Santa Anita Racetrack is upon us and two graded stakes races highlight the card. The feature, the $200,000 Santa Barbara Handicap (gr. II), is a mile and a quarter turf event for older fillies and mares, and has drawn a field of nine.
Step Softly (GB) is the CASE choice with a 100 rating, and is 30-1 morning line. Step Softly is coming off of a fourth place finish in an April 2nd allowance race, and last won in France on December 11th. This is the Step Aloft (GB) filly’s third start in the United States. Joel Rosario, who was up for the allowance, will be replaced by Michael Baze on Saturday.
Rosario moves to Black Mamba (NZ), a six-year-old Black Minnaloushe mare trained by John Sadler. With four wins in twenty-three starts and earnings of over $662,000, Black Mamba could go favored. Last out on December 6th, Black Mamba finished fourth behind males in the Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. I), but hasn’t won since the August 3rd John C. Mabee (gr. I) at Del Mar. Black Mamba has tried the Santa Anita turf course seven times, and has three seconds and three thirds but no wins.
Toque de Queda (GB) may hold a class edge over her rivals. The five-year-old Dansili (GB) mare was fifth in the EP Taylor at Woodbine in October, and hasn’t started since. Bobby Frankel trains the mare, who hasn’t won since June of 2008 in France, but Toque de Queda could be primed for a big effort after a bullet six furlong workout on the all weather surface on April 4th. Victor Espinoza will ride.
Tizfiz has a rating of 98.41 and definitely has a shot at winning. 12-1 morning line, the Tiznow mare ran third in the February 16th Buena Vista at one mile on the main track, but won the San Gorgonio (gr. II) on January 4th at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Tizfiz has five wins and three seconds in thirteen lifetime starts.
Foxysox (GB) and Magical Fantasy round out the list of likely contenders. Foxysox is a classy six-year-old mare trained by Carla Gaines and won the Tuzla Handicap (gr. III) on January 25th going a mile, but was second in the Buena Vista. With seven wins in twenty five starts, Foxysox is a multiple graded stakes winner. Magical Fantasy, on the other hand, hasn’t won since August of last year, but that victory was the Grade I Del Mar Oaks. The Diesis (GB) filly finished second in the La Canada (gr. II) on February 15th on the main track, then ran fourth in the Santa Margarita (gr. I) last out. Alex Solis has the call.
Ainamaa, Grace Anatomy, and Persian Express will also start.
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Emily Shields is a regular contributor to Case the Race. She has written for California Thoroughbred, Churchill Downs media, and international racing magazines.
