Post-Race Review
The heavily favored Ventura made victory appear easy when the Chester House mare uncoiled on the turn and blew past the Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) field, scoring by a length. Stablemate Jibboom, the second choice in the race and also conditioned by trainer Bobby Frankel, finished a strong second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of She’s Cheeky in third.
Ventura was coming off another impressive win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint over Indian Blessing, who scratched from this race. The scratch of Wake Up Maggie (IRE) left the field of fillies and mares at six for the $300,000 race. The final time for seven furlongs was 1:21.61.
Pre-Race Analysis
Trainer Bob Baffert has announced that superstar sprint filly Indian Blessing, the narrow second choice for Saturday’s Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita, will scratch, leaving a field of seven, and one major favorite in Ventura.
Exiting an exceptional win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint in October, Ventura makes her return in this seven furlong, $300,000 race. The Chester House mare received a 94 for Endurance in that effort, which was her seventh win in fifteen starts. Ventura has earned $1.3 million for trainer Bobby Frankel, who also sends out new second choice Jibboom, who won the January 3rd Monrovia Handicap (gr. III) on the turf course. The gray Mizzen Mast mare picks up jockey Rafael Bejarano, but it was Garrett Gomez who piloted Jibboom to a Stride Quality rating of 90 in the Monrovia. Gomez will ride Ventura.
Baroness Thatcher has always been well regarded, but has changed trainers four times during the course of her career. The Johannesburg mare is back with Patrick Biancone now, and a third place finish over 6 1/2 furlongs at this same track on December 31st yielded a 99 for Aerobic Efficiency.
She’s Cheeky is 10 – 1 on the morning line, but has won three straight races with some strong CASE numbers, such as a 107 for Aerobic Efficiency and multiple 81’s for Coordination. This will be the first stakes race for She’s Cheeky, who has steadily climbed through her conditions on the All Weather surface.
Wake Up Maggie (IRE), Tizzy’s Tune, and So Long Sonoma complete the field.
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Emily Shields s a regular contributor to Case the Race. She has written for California Thoroughbred, Churchill Downs media, and international racing magazines.
