Next to last, about five lengths off the lead with a half mile to run, Flavien Prat stepped on the gas heading into the far turn aboard heavily favored Madone, who kicked into gear and despite being fanned six wide turning for home, battled gamely to hold off the late charge of Irish-bred Tetragonal to win Sunday's $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., by a neck. Owned by Kaleem Shah and trained by Simon Callaghan, Madone got one mile turf in 1:34.93 and extended her unbeaten streak to three.
“They went fast, which we thought could happen, so Flavien just let her settle back early and let her get comfortable,” said Callaghan. “He made a big move with her and thankfully she had enough to hold off (Tetragonal)…She is professional, she has really grown up a lot. She took a little bit of time to come around, but she's really developing into a real professional. The Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Fillies Turf Nov. 6 at Keeneland) is the plan now.”
A first out one mile maiden turf winner July 31, Madone's most recent score came in the one mile Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Sept. 6. Off at even money in a field of nine 2-year-old fillies today, she paid $4.20, $2.80 and $2.40.
“I liked where we were after the first quarter, it seemed like they were going fast enough up front,” said Autumn Meet leading rider Prat, who made the lead a furlong out and notched his third win of the day. “The fractions don't say it, but down the backside, it seemed like they slowed it down a little, so I moved and I think I moved a little too soon. When she makes the lead, she pulls herself up a little. In all of her races, she doesn't win by much, but she's got a lot of talent.”
A $125,000 Ocala Breeders March 2-year-old in Training Sale purchase, Madone, which means beautiful woman in Italian, picked up $60,000 for her efforts. By the Medaglia d'Oro stallion Vancouver, she's out of the Cherokee Run mare Indian Love Call. A perfect three for three, she has earnings of $141,300.
Trained by Richard Baltas, Tetragonal saved ground while last early, wheeled four-deep turning for home and just missed in a thriller. Off at 25-1 with Juan Hernandez, she finished 3 ½ lengths in front of Pizzazz and paid $11.20 and $6.40.
Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Pizzazz stalked the pace while fourth early and just held off Closing Remarks by a nose for third money. Off at 8-1, Pizzazz paid $4.40 to show.
Fractions on the race were 22.30, 45.91, 1:10.61 and 1:23.06.
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