ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2018)–In a race originally scheduled for turf, trainer Peter Miller’s Love a Honeybadger relished a main track listed as “good” as she repelled a stubborn challenge by favored S Y Sky to take Saturday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap for Golden State Series eligible fillies and mares at Santa Anita in gate to wire fashion by 1 ¼ lengths. Ridden by Tiago Pereira, the 4-year-old daughter of Bushwacker got five furlongs in 56.56.
“I felt a little more confident when (the Distaff) came off the grass,” said Miller, who saddled his second winner on the day. “We thought she’d like the grass, but we know she likes the dirt. She’s a really fast filly and tries hard every time. She’s best when she can get the lead and it looked like we were the fastest in the race.”
Claimed three starts back out of a $40,000 claiming win on June 28, Love a Honeybadger, who was bred in California by CTBA Board member Terry Lovingier, is out of the Not For Love mare Angela’s Love and is currently owned by Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch.
Off as the 2-1 second choice in a field of eight California-bred or sired fillies and mares three and up, Love a Honeybadger paid $6.80, $4.00 and $3.40.
“She’s a nice filly,” said Pereira, who guided Love a Honeybadger to her first stakes win today and has now been aboard for four of her five career wins. “I won a couple on her when Brian Koriner had her and I want to thank Pete for staying with me today. Five eighths is a good distance for her. We had a good break, she relaxed and she was full of run.”
With the win, Love a Honeybadger is now 11-5-2-2 overall and with the winner’s share of $60,000, she now has earnings of $246,225.
Ridden by Joe Talamo, S Y Sky, who had been idle since July, 2017, was out-footed by the winner to the far turn, kept at bay turning for home, but mounted a serious challenge a furlong out only to be rebuffed in deep stretch.
Off as the actual favorite at 2-1, S Y Sky paid paid $4.20 and $3.20 while finishing 3 ¼ lengths in front of Family Girl.
Trained by Miller, Family Girl was third best under Flavien Prat and paid $4.40 to show while off at 10-1.
Fractions on the race were 21.84 and 44.35.