From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2020)–With a recent minor illness a concern, Benjamin and Sally Warren’s homebred Warren’s Showtime assuaged any doubts as to her readiness with a powerful stretch kick that resulted in a runaway3-½ length win in Saturday’s $200,000 California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita. Ridden by apprentice Jorge Velez and conditioned by Craig Lewis, the 3-year-old chestnut filly by Clubhouse Ride got one mile on turf in 1:36.50.
Breaking from post position five in a field of 12, Warren’s Showtime was a reserved fifth at the rail, about four lengths off the lead at the three furlong pole, she hugged the rail while unleashing a devastating turn of foot through the lane in what was arguably the most impressive win on the day.
“She’s got a terrific turn of foot and it helped her today,” said Lewis, who conditioned Warren’s Showtime’s sire and dam, Warren’s Veneda. “It got a little tight around the turn, but the jock waited and the rail opened up and we got through. She had a fever and we had to back off for a while. I’m hopeful that we haven’t got to the bottom of her potential yet…
“This sire has kept me alive. We are reaping the benefits of the offspring. He a wonderful sire for California and we couldn’t be more excited about the future with him.”
Third in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at seven furlongs on dirt Nov. 1, Warren’s Showtime, whose dam was a Grade I stakes winner at Santa Anita, was off at 4-1 and paid $10.20, $4.80 and $4.20.
“She’s got a really good late kick,” said Velez, who has ridden Warren’s Showtime in all six of her starts. “She likes to run inside, so it makes it easier to save ground…This is my biggest win and I feel really happy to have the opportunity.”
A one mile turf stakes winner two starts back, Warren’s Showtime now has two stakes victories and three wins from five overall starts. With the winner’s check of $110,000, she now has earnings of $236,271.
“We are so happy to have Craig and for Clubhouse Ride, it is so exciting and good for California,” said Sally Warren. “We are coming in from Vegas and going home with a trophy and the money.”
Bulletproof One, set the all the early pace, was off at 7-2 with Ruben Fuentes and paid $4.60 and $4.00 while finishing a neck in front of Warrior’s Moon.
Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Warrior’s Moon was off at 21-1 and paid $8.40 to show.
Fractions on the race were 23.14, 48.11, 1:12.78 and 1:24.75.