The prohibitive 1-5 favorite, Bob Baffert's Eda stalked early leader Shes Bout a Mover to the far turn and opened up turning for home en route to a facile 2 ¼ length win in Sunday's $75,000 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. Ridden for the first time by Flavien Prat, she got six furlongs geared down in 1:10.41.
“She was in the one hole and there was speed in the race,” said Baffert, who collected his meet-leading fourth stakes win. “She did that in her first race (a desperate nose defeat in a five-furlong maiden special weight here on June 19), but she couldn't do it in her last race at Del Mar, there was too much traffic. It was a nice win. I think one turn is her game, so we'll just keep her (sprinting) for now.”
Fifth, beaten 18 lengths as the 6-5 favorite going seven furlongs in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., Sept. 5, Eda ran to the betting today and paid $2.40, $2.10, and $2.10.
A $550,000 2-year-old in training sale purchase in Florida this past March, Eda, a bay filly by Munnings out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Show Me, was second beaten a head two starts back in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes going six furlongs on Aug. 6 and now has one win from four starts.
Owned by Baoma Corporation, Eda picked up $47,400 for the win, increasing her earnings to $130,000.
“She broke well and I was able to get myself in the clear,” said Prat, who collected his meet-leading seventh stakes win. “As soon as we hit the turn, she just on her own, grabbed the bridle and made a nice move, and that was a winning move. She's pretty quick, she has a lot of speed, so I don't know how far she wants to go, but six was a good distance today.”
In a huge effort, the John Shirreffs-trained Lady T, who appeared to be about nine lengths back while next to last three furlongs from home, shifted into high gear around the turn in an eye-catching effort and rallied for the place, finishing 7 ¼ lengths in front of Baffert's Benedict Canyon.
Off at 5-1 with Victor Espinoza up in a field of five, Lady T paid $3.20 and $2.10.
Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Benedict Canyon was off at 8-1 and paid $2.10 to show.
Fractions on the race were :21.90, :44.98, and :57.38.
Live racing resumes on Friday, with first post time for a nine-race card at 1 p.m. Friday's entries are currently available at santaanita.com.
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