Indian Blessing wins at Santa Anita December 28th, 2008
Indian Blessing beat Ginger Pop by 1 1/2 lengths to take the $250,000 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Santa Anita.
Bsharpsonata was a nose back in the field of seven.
Under John Velazquez, Indian Blessing recorded her sixth victory of 2008 in 1:20.59. The winning purse of $150,000 increased her career earnings to $2,437,200. She paid $3.20, $2.60 and $2.10 and has posted a 6-3-0 record in nine starts this year for earnings of $1,080,000.
The 36th running of the La Brea was marred by an injury to front-running Indyanne, who took a bad step and was pulled up nearing mid-stretch. Jockey Russell Baze was not injured. Track veterinarian Dr. Jill Bailey said there was a possibility the gray filly might be saved.
A race prior, Garrett Gomez, the nations leading rider for a third straight year, was injured when his mount, Back At You, ducked into the rail during the stretch run of the $78,070 Eddie Logan Stakes for 2-year-olds. The jockey appeared to tumble headfirst onto the turf and might have been struck by his mount as the horse attempted to rise. Back At You eventually got to his feet and was not seriously injured.
Gomez was transported by ambulance to Arcadia Methodist Hospital. According to his agent, Ron Anderson, Gomez had several teeth knocked out, sustained a gash on his left knee and a swollen left hand. It remained unclear if he would be able to ride again before years end.
Following the incident in the Eddie Logan, Flashmans Papers went on to win by a half length over 17-10 favorite Kelly Leak in the one-mile turf event with Congor Bay a neck back in third. The winning time was 1:36.61
He paid $14.20 to win and earned $45,870 to increase his career bankroll to $150,180 from a 3-0-2 record in eleven starts.
Earlier Saucey Evening took the 29th running of the $125,000 California Breeders Champion Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.
Saucey Evening finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of Spanish Ice, who overtook pacesetter Ten Churros by 1 1/2 lengths. The winner paid $4, $3 and $2.20. Spanish Ice, the longest shot in the field at 22-1 with David Flores aboard, returned $13 and $5. The show price on Ten Churros, ridden by Velazquez, was $2.80.
Saucey Evenings winnings of $75,000 boosted her career total to $250,390.