A first condition allowance winner on Oct. 27, longshot Daddysruby (by Ontario sire Frac Daddy) went to the front in Tuesday’s Grade I, $300,000 La Brea Stakes and just held on late to win by a nose over fellow California-bred Big Pond as Juan Hernandez and Peter Miller teamed to get the seven furlong distance in 1:23.06.
Quick from her rail post position, Peter Miller’s Daddysruby, with favoured Howl in hot pursuit, tired noticeably at which point the winner was able to open up a critical two length advantage on Big Pond three furlongs from home. Although a length clear at the sixteenth pole, fatigue set-in and Daddysruby just managed to stave off a determined challenge from the legendary Frankie Dettori aboard the runner-up.
Off at 6-1 in a field of nine sophomore fillies, Daddysruby paid $14.20, $6.20 and $4.20.
Owned by Jethorse, LLC, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber, Daddysruby, who is headquartered at San Luis Rey Downs and was making her first stakes start, had four wins from five starts coming into today. With the La Brea winner’s share of $180,000, Daddysruby more than doubled her earnings to $352,014.
In a huge effort, Tim Yakteen’s Big Pond, a winner versus statebreds of the seven furlong Fleet Treat Stakes this past July at Del Mar, was off at 5-1 and paid $5.40 and $3.60 while finishing four lengths in front of well-fancied Clearly Unhinged.
The second choice at 5-2, Clearly Unhinged, who was ridden by Umberto Rispoli, paid $3.00 and finished a half length in front of Royal Spa. The 8-5 favourite, Howl, faded to finish eighth. Fractions on the race were 22.21, 44.49 and 1:09.60.
~ edited Santa Anita press release
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