From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 23, 2015)–Favored Go West Marie stretched out off of three consecutive sprints to win Saturday’s $125,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths, while covering one mile on turf under Gary Stevens in 1:38.81. Trained by Eddie Truman, bred by Summer Mayberry and owned by Peter Redekop BC, Ltd., the 4-year-old filly by Western Fame appeared on the muscle early but settled into a stalking trip en route to notching her fourth stakes win and seventh win from 20 starts. (The Fran’s Valentine, run as Santa Anita’s sixth race, was the second in a series of five Golden State Series stakes for horses bred or sired in California).
“The key with her is to get relaxed,” said Stevens. “When Rafael (Bejarano, aboard eventual sixth place finisher Wild in the Saddle) was getting out pretty good going into the first turn, it gave me a little bump to get out and she got a little aggressive. Once I got her back midway around the turn, she switched off for me and she has an explosive kick. She outclassed these fillies today.”
The 3-5 favorite in a field of eight older fillies and mares, Go West Marie paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.40. The win improved her overall mark to 20-7-2-5, and with the winner’s share of $75,000, she ran her earnings to $557,520.
“Gary loved her at a mile,” said Truman, who is enjoying perhaps his best year as a conditioner. “We both think she’s actually better going a mile. Today it scared me with that slow pace, and he rode her like the champion rider that he is. He said ‘Hey, we’re not saving ground. We’re the best horse and here we come.”
Ridden by Santiago Gonzalez, Chati’s On Top rallied from last to finish second, one length in front of longshot My Monet. Dispatched at 7-1, Chati’s On Top paid $5.20 and $3.40.
Ridden by Gonzalo Nicolas, My Monet set the pace to the furlong pole and tired to finish third, three quarters of a length in front of Mangita. Off at 16-1, My Monet paid $6.60 to show.
Fractions on the race were 24.33, 49.68, 1:14.47 and 1:26.78.