By Bloodhorse.com
ALBANY, Calif. (Sept. 8, 2014) – California sire Elusive Warning was represented by his first winner Aug. 31 at Golden Gate Fields when favored Swiss Cocoa won the sixth race in front-running fashion.
The winner, a 2-year-old filly owned by Diaz Racing Stable and Andreas Psarras, is trained Antonio Diaz and was ridden by Juan Sanchez. Making her third lifetime start, Swiss Cocoa was the 9-5 choice in the $12,500 maiden claiming race.
Swiss Cocoa outpaced her seven rivals while opening a three-length lead in the stretch. She won by one length under steady urging while completing the five furlongs on Golden Gate’s Tapeta racing surface in :59.04.
Sheila McLeod bred Swiss Cocoa in California out of the stakes-placed winner Swiss Please, by Swiss Yodeler. The bay filly sold for $3,500 to Psarras out of the Madera Thoroughbreds consignment at the Barretts Equine Limited October 2013 yearling sale.
Elusive Warning, a 10-year-old group III-winning son of Elusive Quality —Valid Warning, by Valid Appeal, stood for $2,500 in 2014 at Madera Thoroughbreds near Madera, Calif.
The Kentucky-bred chestnut won five of 13 lifetime starts for Darley Stable and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, including 2008 Burj Nahaar (UAE-III) at Nad Al Sheba in 2008, while earning $487,332. He ran second in the 2008 Etisalat Godolphin Mile (UAE-II).