Hard-hitting Warren's Showtime got the early pace pressure she's been craving the entire meet and took full advantage on closing day June 20 at Santa Anita Park, unfurling an impressive stretch kick to take the $101,500 Wilshire Stakes (G3T) by 1 1/4 lengths.
Owned and bred in California by Ben and Sally Warren, Warren's Showtime was guided by Juan Hernandez and won going away over pacesetter Leggs Galore while stopping the clock in 1:34.29 for a mile on firm turf.
She is trained by Craig Lewis, who also trained both the winner's sire, Clubhouse Ride, and dam, Santa Margarita Stakes (G1) winner Warren's Veneda (by Affirmative).
As expected, Leggs Galore was hustled away from the gate by Ricky Gonzalez and set fractions of :22.45, :45.97, and 1:10.04 through six furlongs. She held an advantage over Brooke as the field straightened up for their run up the backside with long-striding Warren's Showtime next to last in the field of eight fillies and mares 3 years old and up.
Although Leggs Galore spurted clear, commanding a 1 1/2-length edge on Brooke at the quarter pole, Warren's Showtime was in high gear under Hernandez, who wheeled four-wide at the top of the lane. From there, there was no stopping the 4-year-old filly as she broke a six-race losing streak, finishing second or third in those, while notching her second career graded stakes victory.
Most recently a close second to Leggs Galore in the state-bred Fran's Valentine Stakes at one mile on turf May 9, Warren's Showtime was off as the slight 2-1 favorite and paid $6.00 on a $2 win wager.
"She's a racehorse, she lays it down every time, she gives everything she can give, and that's all you could ask," said Lewis. "Juan is a really good rider, and he's got a good agent, so it works well together. I had a little anxiety, but I felt like today was going to be her day. It looked like there would be a realistic pace. … She looks like a million dollars and by the way, she's close to getting to that point. We're hoping she does, but she's just a wonderful filly and gives you what she can.
"Today was her day. I told Juan to be as patient as he could because we knew they were going to go fast today. … I am very excited about the future for Clubhouse Ride. He's a beast."
Warren's Showtime notched her sixth stakes win and improved her overall record to 7-2-9 from 20 starts, with earnings of $697,431.
"We've been knocking on the door the last few times; we were third, second, just missing the winner, but today I think the pace was the key," said Hernandez. "That was a good pace for us because she was flying at the end. … Today, I kind of moved a little earlier, so when I passed the other filly, I said, 'I got it.'"
Leggs Galore finished a neck in front of Brooke, who was 1 1/4 lengths better than Ippodamia's Girl. Querelle, Gidgetta, Quiet Secretary, and Stela Star completed the order of finish.
Warren's Veneda is the dam of four foals, all by Clubhouse Ride. She most recently foaled a full brother to Warren's Showtime Feb. 19.
