Press Releases

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2011) – The progeny of standout California sire Unusual Heat completed a most unusual Superfecta in Thursday’s fifth race at Santa Anita when the stallion’s offspring finished first, second, third and fourth among nine entrants in the $55,600 maiden event for fillies and mares at one mile on turf.

Phi Beta Heat, with Corey Nakatani aboard, won by 1 ¼ lengths while timed in 1:36.84 and paid $43.60. She was followed across the finish line by even-money favorite Bitt a Heat, 9-2 shot Unknown Heat and 5-1 Favoloso, the only one of the quartet whose name did not reveal her sire. The $1 Superfecta, which requires selection of the first four finishers in order, paid $614.90.

ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 2, 2011) – California-bred Unzip Me, whose zip is maximized on grass, registered her fourth win in five starts over Santa Anita’s downhill turf course Sunday with a handy wire-to-wire triumph in the 44th running of the Grade III, $100,000 Monrovia Stakes for fillies and mares.

With Rafael Bejarano at the controls, the 7-10 favorite led from start to finish while running 6 ½ furlongs in 1:12.72. Unzip Me crossed the wire 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Broken Dreams, ridden by Garrett Gomez. Reba Is Tops, with Patrick Valenzuela aboard, wound up third, another half length back.

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 30, 2010)—Shortening up out of four consecutive routes, Cayambe, a 6-year-old gelding by Helmsman, relaxed well in the early stages and finished with a rush to provide jockey Rafael Bejarano with his third win on the afternoon in Thursday’s 6 ½ furlong, $68,000 allowance feature at Santa Anita.

“He broke good, but I wanted him to be in a comfortable position,” said Peruvian sensation Bejarano. “I knew there was a lot of speed in the race, especially the favorite (Earnednevergiven), and he relaxed really well.

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 29, 2010) – After scoring stunning maiden victories with 2-year-old colts The Factor and Uncle Sam during the first two days of Santa Anita’s winter-spring meet, Bob Baffert watched another of his 2-year-olds validate Triple Crown promise when Awesome Patriot dramatically captured Wednesday’s $51,520 allowance feature for 2-year-olds at one mile.

Overnight rain had cut the field in half to three starters, but the match race that materialized proved to be compelling.