From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (June 9, 2019)–Head and head early, Reddam Racing’s California-bred Listing spurted clear turning for home en route to an authoritative 2 ¼ length win in Sunday’s $75,000 Desert Code Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez and trained by Ben Cecil, the 3-year-old colt by Square Eddie got five furlongs on turf in 55.21.
Breaking from post position two in a field of five sophomores, Listing and New York-bred Rafal were at once engaged in a hot speed duel. Approaching the three sixteenths pole, Listing gained the advantage and went on to win in-hand.
“He ran really good,” said Gutierrez, who had guided Listing to a close fourth place finish in the one mile turf Silky Sullivan Stakes versus Cal-breds on April 28 at Golden Gate Fields. “He was sharp today. I was able to sit pretty comfortably with Baffert’s horse (Rafal) and I was able to move with him before I got pressure from those other horses.”
Off at 7-2, Listing, who is out of the Yonaguska mare Marquis Diamond, paid $9.80, $4.80 and $3.40.
A two-time California-bred stakes winner, Listing notched his first stakes win in open company today while improving his overall mark to 8-3-1-1. With the winner’s share of $60,000, he increased his earnings to $225,400.
“I think last time we found out maybe a mile is stretching him a little,” said Cecil. “He was very wide that day and things didn’t work out well, so we thought we would try a sprint, he’s done well sprinting…I expected him to be maybe laying second, I didn’t expect him to put the Baffert (Rafal) away as easily as he did.
“This horse runs on anything. I’ve been so lucky to have Paul and Zillah (Reddam), they basically kept me going in this business and I owe them everything. I’ve got five Square Eddie babies and they all look promising, so let’s keep it going.”
Third to the furlong pole, Legends of War was second best, finishing 2 ¼ lengths in front of Rafal. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Legends of War was off at 3-1 and paid $4.00 and $3.00.
Rafal, who tired badly late, just managed to hold off the lone filly in the lineup, 7-5 favorite Ginger Nut, by a nose for third money. Ridden by Joe Talamo, Rafal was off at 3-1 and paid $3.80 to show.
Fractions on the race were 21.24 and 43.61.