SPOTLIGHT PERFORMANCES
APRIL 7, 2005
by James Scully
MEA DOMINA (Dance Brightly) turned in another crisp performance
for conditioner Ron McAnally on Friday at Santa Anita, improving to
four-for-four over the sod with a dominant three-length tally over allowance
rivals. The four-year-old miss earned a career best 101 BRIS Speed rating, and
the classy turf miler has lost only once since breaking her maiden, a sixth on
the main track in the La Brea S. (G1). The first foal to race from Grade 3
winner Madame Pandit (Wild Again), Mea Domina should be making her graded turf
bow soon.
STEDFAST MCSTAUNCH (Ire) (Desert Style), a maiden winner in
England, was sent to Paddy Gallagher earlier this year and recorded an unplaced
finish when making his U.S. debut in March’s Pasadena S. at Santa Anita. The
three-year-old gelding showed much more on Sunday, earning a nose
decision in a one-mile turf optional-claiming event. The gray clipped heels and
stumbled leaving the far turn, almost falling and dislodging rider Danny
Sorenson, who admirably maintained his irons despite being flung forward
momentarily. Stedfast McStaunch regained his momentum and boldly rallied up the
rail through the stretch to get his first win stateside.
TUCKER’S TUNE (Concorde’s Tune) ran away from her maiden special
weight rivals on Saturday at Santa Anita, leading wire-to-wire in her career bow
to win by eight lengths. A $55,000 yearling purchase, the Florida-bred sophomore
filly is trained by Bruce Headley, who isn’t opposed to giving his runners a
race. Tucker’s Tune looked very precocious, and the gray lass earned a
commendable 97 Speed rating.
DEL MAR MISS (In Excess [Ire]) didn’t make her career bow until
Saturday at Santa Anita, and the four-year-old Cal-bred toyed with 10 opponents,
winning a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight by nine lengths under Julio
Garcia. A $130,000 yearling purchase, the Bob Baffert-trained miss tracked the
early pace before drawing off with ease.
SMOKESCREEN (Smoke Glacken) looked promising when winning his
first career start for Ben Perkins Jr. last summer but went to the sidelines
following the Sanford S. (G2) in late July. He finished a better-than-looked
fourth when hooking a tough allowance field in his seasonal bow at Gulfstream in
February and then returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday at Aqueduct,
closing from last to first to beat optional-claiming opponents over a sloppy
track. The gray colt received a 102 Speed rating and may continue to show more
in the sprint ranks.
ONE WEST (Gone West) was well-prepared for her first career
start at Oaklawn Park on Sunday, sprinting clear at the start of what appeared
to be a contentious maiden special weight event and crushing her rivals on the
front end, crossing the wire 4 1/2 lengths the best under Jamie Theriot. Out of
stakes winner and producer Catnip (Flying Paster), the Cole Norman-trained
four-year-old filly looked very impressive and received a 97 Speed figure.