Habaneros wires Burke
John C. Bell’s HABANEROS (Tabasco Cat) took the lead soon
after the start of Saturday’s $100,000 Carleton F. Burke H. (G3)
at Santa Anita and held off numerous challenges to post a three-quarter-of-a-length
victory in the 1 1/2-mile grass marathon. Ridden by David Flores
and trained by Thomas Bell II, the chestnut gelding stopped the
clock in 2:26 4/5 on the firm turf.
Sent off at 14-1, Habaneros gave back nice payouts of $30.20,
$13.20 and $8.20 while starting the $176.60 exacta ($1), $2,064.70
trifecta ($1) and $8,687.10 (2-5-3-8) superfecta ($1). Pellegrino
(Brz) (Nugget Point [Ire]), who was also off at 14-1, returned $11.40
and $7.80 for holding Gallant (GB) (Rainbow Quest) by a neck.
Show was worth $11.20 as the 29-1 longshot.
A nose farther back came Puerto Banus (Supremo) in fourth.
Next was Hatif (Brz) (Spend a Buck), Special Matter (River
Special), 6-5 favorite Continuously (Diesis [GB]) and Leprechaun
Kid (Alphabet Soup).
Habaneros recorded his first stakes score with this win and
has now earned $174,400. He improved his career mark to 11-4-2-2.
Bred in Kentucky by Louie Roussell II, Habaneros sold for $105,000
as a Keeneland September yearling. He is out of the multiple-stakes
placed Innocently Astray (Gone West) and is a half-brother to
Grade 3 winner Region of Merit (Touch Gold) and an unnamed
weanling colt by Dixie Union.