THREE WINNING PICK SIX TICKETS PAY $36,467, ONE TICKET ON-TRACK NABS 20 PERCENT BONUS OF $7,293.40, FOR TOTAL SCORE OF $43,760.40
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2013)—Magical Band, headed at the top of the lane, seemed to thrive on the conditions and the competition as he and Victor Espinoza fought off a stout challenge from 6-5 favorite Splendid Fortune and Joe Talamo to take Sunday’s featured $58,000 Jack Disney Retirement Purse by three quarters of a length while getting six furlongs in 1:09.88 on a wet fast strip at Santa Anita.
The Disney, a first-condition allowance for older fillies and mares, was reduced to a field of six following two late scratches and was named for longtime L.A. Herald Examiner sports writer and Santa Anita publicity staffer Jack Disney. Fittingly, Arcadia Mayor Bob Harbicht declared Sunday “Jack Disney Day” throughout the Community of Homes.
Trained by Hector Palma, Magical Band came off a sharp second at the level over a wet fast track on Dec. 29.
“It went beautifully,” said Palma, who picked up his second winner of the day. “Victor rode a fantastic race. He made her relax on the backstretch, he moved on the turn, and then the race was over.”
Magical Band, off as the 2-1 second choice, paid $6.80, $3.20 and $2.20.
“It was pretty much the trip we wanted,” said Espinoza, who sat second to the favorite through splits of 22.17, 45.39 and 57.36. “The speed was inside so I waited as long as possible because the track is a bit slippery and I didn’t want to let her run too soon.”
A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Dixie Union, Magical Band is owned by B G Stable and Palma. With the winner’s share of $34,800, Magical Band increased her earnings to $93,350 and improved her record to 7-2-2-0.
Splendid Fortune finished a half length in front of Egg Drop, who tried to make a run from off the pace after hopping at the break with Garrett Gomez.
Splendid Fortune paid $2.60 and $2.40.
Egg Drop paid $2.80 to show.
The Disney was run as the eighth on a nine-race program. In the finale, longshot Flew Flicker was disqualified for interference and the official winner was 2-1 favorite Prime Issue.
This resulted in three winning tickets in the Pick Six, with each paying $36,467. One of them was purchased on-track for $432.00, and is therefore eligible for Santa Anita’s 20 percent Pick Six bonus. With a bonus of $7,293.40, Sunday’s total on-track Pick Six payout is $43,760.40.
Live racing will resume at Santa Anita on Thursday, with first post time at 1 p.m.
