From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (June 6, 2015)–Allowed to settle into last position out of the gate, longshot Patriots Rule, with Fernando Perez aloft, began to rally wide into the far turn and sustained a five-wide charge through the lane to take Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita by 1 ¼ lengths. Trained by Robertino Diodoro, the 4-year-old gelding by Tribal Rule got one mile on turf in 1:36.83.
“The turf is a little wet today, he didn’t handle it great at first,” said Perez. “He likes to close and he finishes well though, so I wasn’t worried. He doesn’t like to be inside. In his last race, he was on the inside and was fighting the whole time, but today I had a really good trip and he fired.”
Off at 8-1 in a field of seven California-bred or sired horses three and up, Patriots Rule paid $19.00, $6.80 and $4.40. Owned by Charles Garvey, Patriots Rule picked up $60,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $335,480. Out of the Seattle Bound mare Candy Factory, Patriots Rule got his third win from nine tries on the Santa Anita turf and improved his overall mark to 17-5-2-3.
“…He’s not that big of a horse, but he’s got the right attitude,” said Diodoro. “He doesn’t want to run inside of horses. The big thing with him is to get a little pace to run at and get a clear trip. He was in the clear down the backside and running comfortably.”
Ridden by Tyler Baze, Awesome Return rallied well from off the pace, but was second best, finishing 1 ¼ lengths in front of Weewinnin. The third choice in the wagering at 5-2, Awesome Return paid $4.00 and $3.00.
Ridden by Joe Talamo, Weewinnin led until deep stretch and finished third, 1 ¾ lengths in front of favored Forest Chatter. Off at 5-1, Weewinnin paid $4.00 to show.
Fractions on the race were 23.85, 48.26, 1:12.53 and 1:24.59.
Named after the winner of the 1977 Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup, the Crystal Water was run as the fourth race on a special Belmont Day 11-race program. First post time on Sunday is at 12:30 p.m. Admission gates open at 10:30 a.m.