'Big' is an underwhelming word to describe the last couple weeks for MyRacehorse and their partners.
It started Sept. 21 when MGISW Seize the Grey (Arrogate) seized the lead in the GI Pennsylvania Derby and never looked back. In Sunday's co-feature in California, it was second verse, same as the first.
Looking every bit the speed of the speed, Straight No Chaser (Speightster–Margarita Friday, by Johannesburg) dominated the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship in just his second start of the season.
The now-5-year-old had not visited a winner's circle since 2023 when he ran away with the GIII Maryland Sprint Stakes on the Preakness undercard by 7 1/2 lengths. Transferred to Juan Landeros's care for that jump, Straight No Chaser ran fourth in his lone effort this year, which was the GIII Runhappy Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A meet May 11.
Back in action for Dan Blacker here, the 3-2 choice got to the lead and entertained brief early pressure from competition through :21.83 and :44.28 splits. Shrugging that one away and well in control coming off the bend, the question was how much he'd win by and the answer was 6 1/4 lengths over Roll On Big Joe (Prospective) in second. See Through It (Curlin to Mischief) came on for third. The final time was 1:08.54.
“They were running,” Blacker said. “He broke really quick today and when I saw him going into the turn, how easy he was going, and we were in the right spot, I felt pretty confident.”
Jockey John Velazquez added, “He was ready from the start. If he breaks good, and loose reins, that's what he likes. He relaxes until somebody gets next to him.”
“I knew the horse on the outside [No. 7, For All Mankind] had speed, so I was concerned that he probably wanted to chase me. He broke a little slow and I heard the jock chirp at him to get him closer to me. I didn't want to worry about it, if he wanted to go faster than me. I just put my hands down and kept the reins loose, keeping him comfortable. Even though he was going this fast, it felt like he wasn't going that fast. He was just comfortable.”
“Sizzling home!”
#5 STRAIGHT NO CHASER storms home in the $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2), romping clear of #4 Roll On Big Joe in 1:08.54. Dan Blacker trains the @MyRacehorse son of Speightster, who was ridden by @ljlmvel. pic.twitter.com/BvyXnyx87T
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 30, 2024
Pedigree Notes:
A half-brother to a stakes winner turned winner producer, Straight No Chaser has a pair of placed younger half-siblings, the most recent to the races being T Kraft (Connect). Their dam, a winner hailing from the extended female family of GSW Nicole H (Mr. Greeley) and her son GSW & GISP Gun Song (Gun Runner), has two offspring currently in the wings–a yearling colt by Omaha Beach and a 2024 colt by Practical Joke. She visited Authentic for 2025. This is also the immediate female family of two-time champion sprinter MGISW Housebuster.
Sunday, Santa Anita Park
SANTA ANITA SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP S. PRESENTED BY ESTRELLA JALISCO-GII, $201,000, Santa Anita, 9-29, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:08.54, ft.
1–STRAIGHT NO CHASER, 122, h, 5, by Speightster
1st Dam: Margarita Friday, by Johannesburg
2nd Dam: Smile Maker, by Capote
3rd Dam: Desireux, by Fappiano
($110,000 2yo '21 EASMAY). O-MyRacehorse; B-John Eaton & Steve Laymon (KY); T-Dan Blacker; J-John R. Velazquez. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 9-5-0-1, $376,300. *1/2 to Hangover Saturday (Pomeroy), SW, $106,875. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Roll On Big Joe, 122, g, 4, Prospective–Nina's Gift, by Victory Gallop. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($90,000 2yo '22 OBSOPN). O-Red Baron's Barn LLC and Rancho Temescal LLC; B-Max Ubide (FL); T-Robert B. Hess, Jr. $40,000.
3–See Through It, 122, g, 7, Curlin to Mischief–Crystal House, by Chester House. O-Lizbeth Medina; B-Edward Allred (CA); T-Genaro Vallejo. $24,000.
Margins: 6 1/4, 2HF, HF. Odds: 1.50, 21.70, 13.00.
Also Ran: Fort Bragg, Mbagnick (Chi), For All Mankind, Neiman.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV
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