ASCENDING STAR CEILING CRUSHER TAKES $150,000 MELAIR STAKES BY 17 LENGTHS AS O’NEILL & HERNANDEZ TEAM FOR 1 1/16 SCORE IN 1:44.25

RACE IS PART OF LUCRATIVE CTBA-SPONSORED GOLDEN STATE SERIES

ARCADIA, CA (May 28, 2023)—A California-bred superstar in the making, Doug O’Neill’s Ceiling Crusher led throughout en route to a smashing 17-length victory in Sunday’s $150,000 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Ceiling Crusher remains unbeaten in four starts and in her first try around two turns, got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:44.25.

The Melair is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.

A 15 ½ length winner of the 6 ½ furlong Evening Jewel Stakes on April 8, Ceiling Crusher went straight to the front out of the gate and although she was tested around the far turn by eventual third place finisher Chismosa, the Melair was never at any point in doubt as the 3-year-old daughter of Mr. Big had a sixth length advantage three sixteenths of a mile out in an absolute rout.

The prohibitive 1-5 favorite in a field of four sophomore fillies, Ceiling Crusher paid $2.40 and $2.10 with no show wagering.

Owned by Wonderland Racing Stables, LLC, Todd Kady, Tim Kasparoff and Ty Leatherman, Ceiling Crusher, who is out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess, picked up $90,000 for the win, running her earnings to $263,400.

Ridden by Kyle Frey, Tom’s Regret was up for second, a neck in front of Chimosa and paid $3.60 to place.

Fractions on the Melair were 23.46, 47.15, 1;10.96 and 1:37.15.