Big City Lights was backed as an overwhelming 1-5 favorite here off a gaudy 93 Beyer Speed Figure-earning debut romp against state-bred foes at Santa Anita May 2 and proved that effort was no fluke with another dominant performance Sunday. Immediately in front, the dark bay made it tight on Street Art (Street Boss) heading to the half-mile pole, forcing jockey Kent Desormeaux to take up sharply. But it was smooth sailing for Big City Lights as he glided through fractions of :21.96 and :45.74 before streaking home much the best. Big City Lights then had to survive an inquiry, with the stewards ultimately ruling Street Art had attempted to make a move with insufficient clearance and letting the original order of finish stand.
“I broke on top and [Street Art] didn't break,” said winning jockey Juan Hernandez. “Before I came over, I checked and didn't see anybody. It looked like he was trying to get in, and there was room, but if you look at the replay it looked like his horse got spooked and didn't want to come through.”
Of Big City Light's big effort, Hernandez said, “This horse is improving a lot. Last time he broke a little slow, but today he broke really sharp and I was clear in front, probably three or four jumps after. I just let my horse run, because that's what he wants. When I asked him at the quarter pole, he took off again, he's a nice horse.”
Trainer Luis Mendez was represented by the top three past the wire.
“It feels good,” Mendez said of the finish. “One-two-three–I've never done that before and especially in a stakes. I want to say thank you to the owner, Bill Peeples, and everyone on the team. Thanks a lot, Mr. John Brocklebank for bringing these babies to the barn. I really don't know what else to say other than I'm really happy.”
Champagne Exchange produced a filly by Harbor the Gold in 2020 and a colt by that sire in 2021. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
FASIG-TIPTON FUTURITY, $100,000, Santa Anita, 6-20, 2yo, 5f, :58.20, ft.
1–BIG CITY LIGHTS, 123, c, 2, by Mr. Big
1st Dam: Champagne Exchange, by Exchange Rate
2nd Dam: Youcan'ttakeme, by He's Tops
3rd Dam: Takeaway, by Fly So Free
($22,000 Ylg '20 FTCAYR). 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-William R.
Peeples; B-Bar C Racing Stables Inc (CA); T-Luis Mendez; J-Juan
Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $96,600.
2–Bochombo, 123, c, 2, Street Boss–Parading Lady, by Storm
Cat. ($15,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $100,000 RNA 2yo '21 OBSMAR).
O-Dan Northrup; B-Coffee Pot Stable (KY); T-Luis Mendez.
$20,000.
3–Buehler's Day Off, 120, g, 2, Anchor Down–Bedroom Eyes, by
Pleasant Tap. ($50,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-William Branch &
William Dean Reeves; B-Chuck Johnsen (KY); T-Luis Mendez.
$12,000.
Margins: 7 1/4, 5 1/4, 2 3/4. Odds: 0.20, 11.70, 15.60.
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