Into the bridle and under restraint early, Anothertwistafate, in his second start for trainer Peter Miller, took command in mid-stretch en route to a 2 ¼-length score in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Ridden by Joel Rosario, the 5-year-old son of Scat Daddy got a mile and one eighth over the Santa Anita turf in 1:46.63.
A measured second, one length off early leader Bob and Jackie three furlongs out, Anothertwistafate reeled him in around the turn and took command approaching the sixteenth pole to win geared down.
“It was the first time with blinkers today and he broke really quick out of there,” said Rosario. “It looked like the other horse (Bob and Jackie) really wanted to go to the lead, so I had to just let it work out a little bit, let him sit off and he did, he was fine after I put him behind the other horse. He was good.
“Today having the blinkers on helped, he was more focused today. I never rode him before his last start, but he improved today.”
Originally based at Golden Gate Fields with Blaine Wright, Anothertwistafate came off a fourth-place finish as the 2-1 favorite in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar Nov. 28 and was off at 5-2 in a field of seven older horses in the San Gabriel. In his 10th overall start, he paid $7.60, $4.80 and $3.80.
Owned by Peter Redekop BC Ltd., Anothertwistafate, a full horse out of the First Defence mare Imprecation, notched his second graded stakes win and with the winner's share of $120,000, increased his earnings to $490,505.
“The first half mile, he was a little rank, then Joel got him to settle,” said Miller. “Joel recommended the blinkers after his last race. He made the lead and was gawking around. We wanted him to have a target (today). This is my first win for Mr. Redekop. It's a nice way to do it, in a Grade 2, $200,000. We'll look at the Pegasus, both the turf and the dirt. The dirt is more money, but obviously, there's tougher horses in there.”
Ridden by Heriberto Figueroa, Bob and Jackie held second by two lengths over Next Shares and paid $7.00 and $4.80 while off at 5-1.
Next Shares, who sat third throughout, held on by a nose over Multiplier and paid $4.40 to show with Jose Valdivia, Jr. up.
Even money favorite Count Again, who trailed throughout, was eased at the wire under Juan Hernandez, beaten by more than 20 lengths.
“Juan (Hernandez) said when he asked him, he didn't pursue,” said Count Again's trainer, Phil D'Amato.
Fractions on the race were 23.02, 46.95, 1:11.62 and 1:34.91.
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