In his first official start of his career, aptly named Start the Ride, a 3-year-old son of Upstart , rolled home to victory in the $175,500 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby Jan. 17 at Santa Anita Park.
Owned and bred by Harris Farms and trained by Dan Blacker, Start the Ride raced in sixth early before making a move turning for home. In the stretch he wore down 2-1 favorite Sammy Davis. Sammy Davis began to open up on the far turn, and had 2 lengths on the field in midstretch but couldn't hold off the winner, finishing 1 3/4 lengths back. After an awkward beginning that had him last early, Pavlovian came on the scene late for the show.
In a Nov. 16 maiden race at Del Mar, Start the Ride reached the wire fourth in what should have been his first start but he was declared a non-starter after it was determined an official starter held him too long at the start. Winning jockey Armando Ayuso said the connections had been high on Start the Ride since arriving at the barn.
"The stretch in this race was wonderful. The more ground you give him, the better he is," Ayuso said. "I knew he couldn't wait to go all the way. I was just comfortable with the way he ran. He put me in a good position, and he was really brave when I asked him to go between the horses."
The win sparked emotion among the connections, including Harris Farms CEO Darren Filkins. Harris Farms lost John Harris July 3.
"I know John is here in spirit. We have a lot of people in Coalinga and Singer, and a lot of people have said Harris Farms is going away. We are not going away," Filkins said. "Harris Farms is here and we are excited to keep running. This is part of the heritage and legacy that Harris is going to continue. This one is for John."
Start the Ride completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.55 on a fast track and paid $29.20 for the win.
Video: California Chrome Cal Cup Derby
The Cal Cup Derby was one of five stakes for California-bred or -sired runners at Santa Anita Park Saturday. In other action:
- Man O Rose devastated the $122,500 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Stakes field as the 4-5 favorite under a confident ride by jockey Edwin Maldonado. Man O Rose, trained by Jeff Mullins and owned by B & B Zietz Stables, broke on top and never looked back. The final margin of victory was 9 lengths over longshot Drop Um and Book Smart, who narrowly beat Speedy Wilson for the show.
After the race, Maldonado shared "He's a tough dude ... I'm just a passenger on this horse. He just wants to do it his way, and he is going to do it his way ... He showed that he can run on turf, a mile, or short. He's really a nice horse." He guided the 6-year-old gelded son of Stanford to his 11th career victory. He ran the 6 furlongs in 1:08.68 and paid $3.60 to win. -
In the Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes, Vodka Vodka ($3.80) held off a late charge from Hey Jessie. Owned by Mclean Racing Stables, Connie and Jerry Baker, William Gorman, trainer Aggie Ordonez, Anthony and Rachel Parsons, and Delbert G. Williams, Vodka Vodka ran the 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:48.12. The 5-year-old gelding by Stay Thirsty earned his first stakes win and moves to 4-2-0 from 11 starts.
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In the Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks, a race for 3-year-old fillies, Cee Drew ran down her competition under a perfectly timed ride by jockey Ricardo Gonzalez. Owned and bred by My Way Racing and trained by Dan Blacker, the Cistron filly became the sire's first stakes winner. She completed the mile on turf in 1:35.93 and paid $6.40 for the win.
Photo: Benoit Photo Cee Drew prevails in the Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita Park -
The Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes, a 6 1/2-furlong race on the downhill turf for older fillies and mares, was won by Grand Slam Smile and jockey William Antongeorgi III. Off as the 4-5 favorite, the 5-year-old daughter of Smiling Tiger seized the lead early and pulled away for a clear win over Take Another Card and Prancingthruparis. Grand Slam Smile completed the race in 1:12.71 and paid $3.60. The Larry and Marianne Williams homebred trained by Sean McCarthy mare moved to 10 wins from 17 starts.
