Las Flores

Miss Terrible earned her first U.S. win on Sunday (Benoit Photo)

Post-time favorite Papa to Kinzie (Boston Harbor) broke sharply at the start
of Sunday’s $109,600
Las Flores H. (G3) at Santa Anita, clearing the field by some four lengths
and gaining what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. However, after carving out a
blistering opening quarter in :20 4/5, Mazella (Mazel Trick), Victory U. S. A.
(Victory Gallop) and MISS TERRIBLE (Arg) (Numerous) started to gain on the
leader, who was still in front after a half in :43 3/5.

The damage was done as the
race had set up for the late runners. Those closers began moving after five furlongs in :56 2/5 as
second-choice Victory U. S. A. failed to make her late run, leaving room for the
late-charging Miss Terrible and 8-1 shot Quero Quero (Royal Academy). Puxa Saco
(Dehere) made it a blanket finish as those three, as well as a hanging Mazella,
hit the wire together. It was Miss Terrible and jockey Alex Solis who stopped the
clock in 1:09 2/5 for the fast six furlongs, just a half-length ahead of Puxa
Saco.

The winner was worth $24.40, $9.40 and $6 at 11-1, keying $1 exotics of
$83.90 for the exacta, $1,271.10 for the trifecta and $7,059.20 for the 7-5-9-4
superfecta. Puxa Saco gave back $6.20 and $5 while Mazella returned $7.20 at
23-1. They were followed under the line by Quero Quero, Victory U.S.A., Papa to
Kinzie, Liz on Polk Street (A.P. Indy) and Delizia (Distant View). Run Rebecca
Run (Swiss Yodeler) and Minnie the Moocher (Fast Play) were withdrawn.