Arturo Vargas’ homebred SALT CHAMP (Arg) (Salt Lake) came home with a burst
of energy to take home the top prize in the $250,000
Santa Monica H. (G1) at
Santa Anita on Sunday. Trained by Richard Mandella, the five-year-old mare had
just one beat as the group went through fractions of :21 3/5 and :44 1/5 to the
half. Turning for home, jockey Gary Stevens began to urge his mount and she
responded, taking the lead in late stretch and completing the seven-furlong fast
track contest in 1:22, winning by one length. The Argentinean bred was sent off
at 5-1 and gave back $13, $5.80 and $4, while keying a $20.40 exacta ($1) and
$116.40 trifecta ($1).
Island Fashion (Petionville), the 3-2 betting favorite, swept three wide
approaching the stretch to take the lead, and appeared to be well on her way to
a Santa Monica repeat, but could not hold off the winner’s charge. The favorite
was good for $3.40 and $2.60. Resplendency (Tale of the Cat) moved into prime
contention in the lane and dueled valiantly with Island Fashion, before tiring
in the very late stages in what was a strong third-place effort. Show paid $3.60
for the 6-1 shot. Royally Chosen (In Excess [Ire]) came next and was trailed by
pacesetter Born To Dance (Service Stripe), Tamweel (Gulch), Platinum Princess
(Wolf Power [SAf]), Tizakitty (Distinctive Cat) and Irgunette (Aus) (Irgun).
Yearly Report (General Meeting) was withdrawn.
Salt Champ previously lassoed a trio of Group 1 races in her native
Argentina, with a pair of Group 1 placings to her credit. Her career line reads
8-5-1-1 with a bankroll of $217,541. She was bred in Argentina and produced from
the multiple Group 3-placed Fitzcarraldo mare Wandel.