With a nightmarish trip in her last start behind her, Harris Farms' homebred Closing Remarks powered to an impressive one-length win in Saturday's $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. One of three fillies in the field trained by Carla Gaines, Closing Remarks was ridden by Umberto Rispoli and covered one mile on turf in 1:35.62.
Named for the longtime owner/breeder and trainer who passed away this past Sept. 3 at 79, the Leigh Ann Howard Cal Cup Oaks is part of the CTBA's lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired three year old fillies.
Fourth, about two lengths off of longshot leader Super Game at the top of the stretch, Closing Remarks wheeled three-wide and was free-running to the wire as she easily held off the late run of Warrens Candy Girl on the money.
Full of run with nowhere to go turning for home in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes going a mile on turf at Del Mar Nov. 28, Closing Remarks, in her fourth career start, was off as the 5-2 second choice in a field of 10 sophomore fillies and paid $7.80, $4.40 and $3.60.
By Vronsky, out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, Closing Remarks notched her first stakes win and her second win from four overall starts. With the winner's share of $110,000, she increased her earnings to $149,500.
Far back early, Warrens Candy Girl closed well to prevail by 1 ½ lengths for second over Super Game with Drayden Van Dyke up. Off at 5-1, Warrens Candy Girl paid $5.60 and $3.80.
Trained by Brian Koriner and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Super Game made things interesting at 50-1, as she enjoyed a roughly two-length advantage on the winner a furlong out, but tired to finish third by a neck over Dylans Wild Cat and paid $17.60 to show.
Fractions on the race were 22.60, 46.96, 1:11.15 and 1:23.56.
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