ARCADIA, Calif. (June 8, 2014)—Ridden for the first time by Kent Desormeaux, Unusual Heatwave overhauled favored Mega Heat late to win Sunday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for Golden State Series eligible 3-year-olds by three quarters of length, covering one mile on turf in 1:34.17.
Trained by Alexis Barba, Unusual Heatwave had been winless in his last six starts, with his most recent victory coming in the Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 3, 2012.
“He had a bit of problem with his breathing, but we’ve got that addressed now,” said Barba. “We felt he was doing well coming into this race and it was great to see him run well.”
With Ethnic Dance, ridden by Edwin Maldonado, showing the way through splits of 23.69, 47.30, 1:10.80 and 1:22.39, Desormeaux had his mount sitting a close third at the rail, just inside of favored Mega Heat, who was ridden by Corey Nakatani.
“My biggest concern was, ‘Does Corey have any horse,’” said Desormeaux. “I was just trying to key off of him and see if something was going to open up. When we switched out (approaching the sixteenth pole), I was hoping Unusual Heat (the winner’s sire) was going to kick in and he did. He really gave me a big turn of foot.”
Off at 7-1 in a field of six California-breds aged three years old and up, Unusual Heatwave, a 5-year-old son of Unusual Heat from the Candie’s Gold mare Miss Alphie, paid $16.80, $6.00 and $3.40.
Unusual Heatwave is by Unusual Heat, out of the Candi’s Gold mare Miss Alphie, was bred by Montecito Stables, is owned by Teresa McWilliams and is trained by Alexis Barba.
He has four wins in 19 starts, earnings of $482,752 and was coming off a third in a May 10 optional claimer.
Mega Heat, off as the 8-5 favorite, was 1 ½ lengths off the lead at the top of the lane and finished second by a nose in front of pacesetter Ethnic Dance. Trained by Peter Eurton, Mega Heat paid $3.40 and $2.60.
Ethnic Dance finished 4 ¾ lengths in front of longshot China Prince and paid $2.80 to show.
Including a carryover from Saturday of $109,125, Sunday’s total Pick Six pool was $770,519. There were 45 winning tickets, each worth $10,276.80.
Michelle Phillips, an original member of the legendary Folk Rock group The Mamas and the Papas, presented the Crystal Water trophy, named in honor of the 1977 Santa Anita Handicap winner who is considered one of the best Cal-breds of all time.
For Unusual Heatwave’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/unusual+heatwave.