Post-Race Review
Pasar Silbano (IRE) scooted up alongside Real Fancy Runner and Doughnut (GB) as the field ran down the hill in the La Habra Stakes (gr. III), and then drew away, leading to the wire to score by 1 3/4 lengths under jockey Mike Smith. The three-year-old bay daughter of Elnadim ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:12.67 for trainer James Cassidy.
Gold Goddess, the longest shot on the board at 77 – 1, finished second, a neck ahead of 15 – 1 shot Real Fancy Runner, who completed a $4,084.20 trifecta. Miss Silver Brook, the narrow favorite, finished fourth after a wide trip, while second choice Ready Steady Gone dropped back to ninth in a field of eleven.
Pre-Race Analysis
A full field of twelve three-year-old fillies will race down the hill at Santa Anita on Super Bowl Sunday, going 6 1/2 furlongs in the La Habra Stakes (gr. III).
The early favorite is Ready Steady Gone from the Peter Miller barn. The More Than Ready filly has only raced once, but that was a December 27th debut victory over the same distance and course as this race. Garrett Gomez retains the mount. Ready Steady Gone was given a 97 for Stride Quality, and 87 for Aerobic Efficiency, and an 89 for Endurance in that race.
Miss Silver Brook breaks from the outside post but is the second choice after also taking her debut on January 11th. That race was over the All Weather surface, but the Cozzene filly is bred for turf. Like Ready Steady Gone, Miss Silver Brook earned a 97 for Stride Quality and also received a 101 for Endurance in that race.
Emmy Darling wheels back quickly after finishing seventh as the favorite in last weekend’s Sunshine Millions Oaks. The John Sadler-trainee didn’t do much running in that race, and Victor Espinoza will ride for the first time here. Emmy Darling has only one win in seven starts, but that victory came in the Landaluce Stakes last yaer.
Pasar Silbano (IRE) on the rail and Acting Lady are both 6/1 on the morning line. Pasar Silbano has made only one start in this country, and that was back in November. The Elnadmi filly was well supported in that effort, which resulted in a seventh place finish, but Pasar Silbano has four wins in seven starts lifetime. Acting Lady finished fourth in the Santa Ysabel (gr. III) last month for trainer Doug O’Neill, beaten less than three lengths and earning a 93 for Stride Quality.
Some other runners in the field are shrouded in some mystery – Doughnut (GB) has never run in America; royally-bred False Impression makes her first start on the West Coast; and Shantika’s Dream won her first ever start, but that was in a high priced claiming event.
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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.
