From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2018)–Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams’ homebred Pulpit Rider rallied strongly through the stretch under Corey Nakatani to take Monday’s $200,000 California Cup Oaks for Golden State Series-eligible 3-year-old fillies by 2 ½ lengths. Trained by Mike Puype, the 3-year-old daughter of Lucky Pulpit got a mile on turf in 1:35.80.
Last into the Club House turn in a field of seven, Pulpit Rider was just in behind heavily favored One Fast Broad around the far turn as Nakatani bided his time in order to save ground. As Pulpit Rider turned for home, Nakatani asked her for her best and she wheeled five-wide outside the favorite en route to an easy win.
“This is such a testament to Mike (Puype),” said Nakatani. “He said she’s doing better than ever over the grass and that her family loves the grass. I love winning races and this is just such a tribute to Mike and his team. He really knows how to settle them down and get their mind right. I was just trying to be a quiet passenger on her back.”
The second choice at 5-2, Pulpit Rider, who is out of the multiple stakes winning mare Lady Railrider, paid $7.60, $3.20 and $2.20.
With the Oaks, restricted to 3-year-old fillies bred or sired in California, being her first stakes win, Pulpit Rider notched her third victory from seven overall starts. With the winner’s share of $110,000, she now has earnings of $194,536.
“Yeah, Corey waited today, he did good,” said Puype. “Big turn of foot out of her today, wow. She’s more than a Cal-bred. She’s just getting there mentally. And the turf was excellent.”
One Fast Broad, who was taken in-hand while fifth going into the first turn, appeared to get a good trip, although she was hung wide turning for home under Flavien Prat. The 3-5 favorite, she finished a half length in front of X S Gold and paid $2.20 and $2.10.
“We had to go wide there turning for home and as we straightened up, she slipped a little,” said Prat. “But we got beat a couple lengths, so I don’t know if that cost us.”
Off at 7-1 with Rafael Bejarano, X S Gold paid $2.80 to show.
Fractions on the race were 22.65, 46.51, 1:11.37 and 1:23.78.