From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2018)–Highly accomplished sprinter Miss Sunset broke on top and rolled to an impressive 2 ½ length win under Mike Smith in Sunday’s $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Trained by Jeff Bonde, the 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Into Mischief, out of the Trippi mare Tuscan Sunset, got six furlongs versus four rival Cal-bred fillies in 1:09.92.
Breaking on top from her number three post position, Miss Sunset was joined on her inside by longshot Shy Carmelita heading to the far turn, but Smith let out a notch three furlongs from home and the Spring Fever was never in doubt thereafter as she easily defeated Cuddle Alert while 4-5 favorite Majestic Heat was never a factor for the win.
“She ran really well today and she felt better than she’s ever felt,” said Smith, who last rode Miss Sunset in a winning effort four starts back on Sept. 4. “She’s really, really quick. She’s a little bit funny, because she runs with her head up for a little filly and she tends to get out…I’ve been fortunate to ride here in some choice spots where we’ve been the lone speed, so we’ve had things our own way.”
Off at 6-5, Miss Sunset, who is owned by Alan Klein and Philip Lebherz, paid $4.40, $3.00 and $2.10.
A Grade II winner, Miss Sunset, who was bred in California by Premier Thoroughbreds and Alan Klein, picked up her sixth added money win in the Spring Fever and improved her overall mark to 14-8-1-2. With the winner’s check of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $678,735.
“We got a soft half mile and that’s what I was hoping for,” said Bonde. “This filly’s been training real well. She beat herself the other day down the hill (when third as the 3-2 favorite in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint on Jan. 27) when she ducked into the fence. She came back and breezed well and it’s great to see her run like this today.”
Ridden by Tyler Baze, Cuddle Alert held Majestic Heat at bay by a half length for the place. Off at 11-1, she paid $6.00 and $2.40.
A Grade II winner who was shortening up out of three consecutive routes, Majestic Heat was off at 4-5 with Flavien Prat and paid $2.10 to show.
Fractions on the race were 22.42, 45.68 and 57.74.
Racing resumes at Santa Anita on Thursday with first post time at 1 p.m. Admission gates open at 11 a.m.