Ultra Blend mixes a winning formula in Valentine Dancer

Ultra Blend (outside) got the jump on Evening Jewel to deny her the Valentine Dancer win (Benoit Photos) Nels Erickson’s ULTRA BLEND (Richly Blended) was unable to overtake 2010 California-bred Horse of the Year Evening Jewel (Northern Afleet) in last month’s Sunshine Millions Distaff, but, under a crafty ride by Joel Rosario, she was able to turn the tables Saturday in Santa Anita’s $98,000 Valentine Dancer H. Originally scheduled for one mile on turf, the competition for state-breds was moved to the main track following overnight rains, and the field size was drastically pared from 11 to four starters with millionaire Evening Jewel sent off as the 4-5 choice and Ultra Blend at 6-5. Rosario managed to keep the multiple Grade 1 winner pinned down on the rail much of the journey before getting the jump on his rival entering the stretch and drawing off to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:35 2/5 over the fast main track. Victor Espinoza, aboard Evening Jewel, had to wait for room rounding the turn. He had no option but to direct his four-year-old filly around the others before angling to the inside and losing momentum at the eighth-pole. The pair made a run at the leader, but flattened out in the closing yards. It was 4 1/4 lengths back to La Nez (Storm Creek) in third while pacesetter Camille C (Roman Dancer) faded to fourth. Party With Brando (Bertrando), Warren’s Got Game (Ancient Art), Bran Jammas (In Excess [Ire]), Antares World (Decarchy), Unzip Me (City Zip), Catsalot (Momentum) and Saanneen (Cee’s Tizzy) were all withdrawn.

“We were kind of watching Evening Jewel, every move she made,” winning
trainer Art Sherman said afterward. “There wasn’t a whole lot of pace, and (Joel
Rosario) rode such a good race. I give a lot of credit to him. He rode a super
race.

“When (Ultra Blend) hooks a horse, she just goes. You have to run by her to
beat her. You’re not going to do it by getting close to her. With a four-horse
field, sometimes the best horse doesn’t always win.”

“She’s a filly that gives you 100 percent in every race,” Rosario added.

The outcome reversed a half-length setback when Ultra Blend finished third in
the Sunshine Millions event.

“It was a terrible trip (in the Valentine Dancer),” said Jim Cassidy, who
trains Evening Jewel. “They had (Espinoza) blocked the whole time down the
backside. He was trying to get out, trying to get moving, (but) he couldn’t even
move when he wanted to. Then we had to wait, wait, wait ’til he got through.
That’s why I hate those four-horse fields. Something always happens.”

Ironically, Evening Jewel had been scheduled to run in last Monday’s Buena
Vista H. (G2), also slated for one mile on turf, but scratched because of
reasons that included drawing the disadvantageous outside post in a field of 11.

With no show wagering on Saturday, Ultra Blend paid $4.60 and $2.40. The
winning purse of $60,000 lifted her lifetime earnings to $460,646 and her career
line now stands at 19-8-4-5, including a total of five stakes wins and six
stakes placings.