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Post-Race Review Second choice Sweet August Moon won the $100,000 Grade 3 Las Flores Handicap from just off the pace to prevail over Foxy Danseur. As expected, heavy favorite High Resolve ridden by Russell Baze was able to get the early lead but was corralled at the top the stretch and finished a disappointing third.
Aaron Gryder was aboard Sweet August Moon, a four-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon for trainer Brian Koriner. The 8th race run over the Pro-Ride surface at six and a half furlongs went in 1:15.21. Sweet August Moon paid $8.20 to win and she has now won 5 of 7 races at Santa Anita.
Pre-Race Analysis High Resolve will be the horse to beat in Sunday’s featured race, the Las Flores Handicap. The race is reduced to six entrants after the scratch of Ashley’s Kitty. The $100,000 (gr. III) race is a 6 ½ furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. It will be race number 8 at Santa Anita over the Pro-Ride surface. All time win-leading-jockey, Russell Baze, will ship down from Northern California to ride High Resolve. High Resolve is the winner of seven of ten lifetime starts for trainer Greg Gilchrist. The morning line favorite with 2-1 odds looks to add to her $426,270 lifetime earnings total. The filly comes off a victory by 2 ¼ lengths at Gulfstream Park in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Fillies and Mares Sprint on January 24th and sports a CASE rating of 99.42.
The second choice is Foxy Danseur with morning line odds of 3-1. In the 7-furlog Cascapedia Stakes at Santa Anita on October 26th, she prevailed over High Resolve by one length. She could keep the success over this surface going with Joel Rosario aboard.
After a trio of third place finishes, Coco Belle, the horse with the highest CASE rating, will need to demonstrate great form to win. She will be ridden by Mike Smith. John Sadler is her trainer.
Sweet August Moon, Petite Cherie (IRE), and Starry Pursuit will round out the field.
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