By Alan Carasso
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL–Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who overcame a troubled trip to win the GI Belmont Oaks in her last trip to the races, had no such difficulties this time around, as she was produced in upper stretch and rolled home to post an easy three-length victory in Saturday's GI Beverly D. S. In joining Euro Charline (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) as the only 3-year-olds to best their elders in the 9 1/2-furlong test, Santa Barbara was–remarkably–providing trainer Aidan O'Brien his first win in the race.
Mean Mary (Scat Daddy), the narrow second wagering choice, broke through the gate, and, once reloaded, found her way to the front from her inside draw and was allowed to lob along while taking token pressure to her outside from GIII Modesty S. winner Naval Laughter (Midshipman) as Ryan Moore tucked Santa Barbara away neatly from third. Mean Mary continued to control a moderate tempo as Naval Laughter shadowed her from the outside, but Mean Mary began to get away from her company as the field neared the stretch. With Moore riding high in the saddle and with a fistful of horse passing the quarter pole, Santa Barbara was pulled out three deep into the lane traveling supremely well, quickly raced up to Mean Mary and was punched out mostly hands and heels to score comfortably. Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass) boxed on gamely to just miss second money while earning valuable Grade I black-type for two-time Beverly D. winner Peter Brant.
Victorious in a single trip to the races, a Curragh maiden last September, Santa Barbara was the 5-2 favorite for the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas May 2, but could do no better than fourth to stablemate Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Unable to see out the 12-furlong trip of the G1 Cazoo Oaks when distant fifth June 4, she raced in heavy traffic for most of the opening nine furlongs of the Belmont Oaks and, with time ticking away, was shown daylight four off the inside and whooshed home to best recent GIII Saratoga Oaks winner Con Lima (Commissioner).
Pedigree Notes:
Already valuable as a half-sister to Breeders' Cup winners Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}, Mile) and Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}, F/M Turf) from the same sire line, Santa Barbara is a maternal granddaughter of Starine, whose most important career victory came in the 2002 Filly & Mare Turf right here at Arlington. Santa Barbara is the last listed produce for Senta's Dream.
Saturday, Arlington
BEVERLY D. S.-GI, $392,000, Arlington, 8-14, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 3/16mT, 1:54.55, gd.
1–SANTA BARBARA (IRE), 117, f, 3, by Camelot (GB)
1st Dam: Senta's Dream (GB), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Starine (Fr), by Mendocino
3rd Dam: Grisonnante (Fr), by Kaldoun (Fr)
'TDN Rising Star' O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor,
Derrick Smith, & Westerberg; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd
(IRE); T-Aidan P. O'Brien; J-Ryan L. Moore. $240,000.
Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-0, $731,612. *1/2 to Iridessa (IRE)
(Ruler of The World (IRE)), GISW-USA, G1SW-Eng,
MG1SW-Ire, $1,988,198; 1/2 to Order of Australia (IRE)
(Australia (GB)), Hwt. at 3-Ire- at 7 – 9 1/2 f., GISW-USA,
GSW-Ire, $1,268,170. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Mean Mary, 123, m, 5, by Scat Daddy
1st Dam: Karlovy Vary (GISW, $448,596), by Dynaformer
2nd Dam: The Right Pew, by Pulpit
3rd Dam: Packet, by Polish Navy
O-Alex G. Campbell, Jr.; B-Alex G. Campbell, Jr.
Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $80,000.
3–Lemista (Ire), 123, f, 4, by Raven's Pass
1st Dam: Shortmile Lady (Ire), by Arcano (Ire)
2nd Dam: Jinsiyah, by Housebuster
3rd Dam: Minifah, by Nureyev
(€16,000 Wlg '17 GOFNOV). O-Peter M. Brant; B-Drumlin
Bloodstock (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown. $40,000.
Margins: 3, NK, 2. Odds: 1.00, 1.10, 5.80.
Also Ran: Joy Epifora (Arg), Naval Laughter. Scratched: Bramble Queen, Oh So Terrible.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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