By DRF.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2025) – How is this for a catalog update – Shocking Grey, scheduled to be sold on Tuesday at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale in Pomona, won her first stakes in Saturday’s $126,500 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.
Shocking Grey, trained by Jeff Mullins, is part of a dispersal of racing and breeding holdings of the prominent owner and breeder Don Valpredo, who died in October. Shocking Grey is Hip No. 12 in the one-day auction.
On Saturday, Shocking Grey ($19) closed from fifth to reach a contending position when the field crossed from the hillside turf course to the main turf course.
Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Shocking Grey fought briefly with even-money favorite Stay and Scam before taking the lead with more than a furlong remaining. Shocking Grey extended her advantage from a half-length in the stretch to 2 1/4 lengths at the finish.
Fresu, riding the 6-year-old mare for the first time, said Mullins insisted Shocking Grey be positioned on the outside as the race developed.
“He said the key was to get her to the outside and let her run free,” Fresu said.
“I didn’t expect her to jump so good. She traveled really well. I had the favorite in front of me and everything went easily. She was loaded and I got away.”
Shocking Grey ran about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:13.42.
Stay and Scam, who stalked the early pace, was well-placed in early stretch, but could not keep pace with Shocking Grey.
“I thought I was the winner,” Rispoli said. “I got outrun.”
Stay and Scam, a two-time stakes winner against California-breds last year, finished a half-length in front of 3-1 Moment’s Pleasure. Elegant Sway finished fourth, followed by Safa, Andiamo Ragazza, Barbera, and Quantum Innergy. Satellite Heart was withdrawn on Saturday morning.
Barbera set the pace for more than a half-mile before fading from contention.
Shocking Grey was a late addition to the field after the race was postponed from its original date on Jan. 11 because of wildfires that struck the Los Angeles area. Shocking Grey was added to the field for a $2,500 supplemental entry when entries were taken a second time on Jan. 13.
By Grazen, Shocking Grey has won 3 of 14 starts and earned $250,750. She was third behind Eddie’s New Dream and Stay and Scam in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes for statebred fillies and mares in May 2023, her only stakes appearance prior to Saturday.
She ran the about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:13.42 and won by 2 ½ lengths over Stay and Scam, with Moment’s Pleasure third in a field of eight.