Stevens wins first race since comeback

Gary Stevens brings Branding back to the cheers of the crowd (Benoit Photos)

Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens made it back to the winner’s circle in just
his third race out of retirement, guiding Glen Hill Farm’s Branding to victory
in Saturday’s
1ST
race at Santa Anita. Under patient handling, the Tom Proctor sophomore
rallied down the stretch to win the maiden special weight going away by 2 1/2
lengths. Branding, the 5-1 fourth choice in a seven-filly field, paid $13.20,
$6.80 and $3.80.

Stevens, who retired seven years ago, launched his comeback last Sunday with
a third-place effort aboard the Jim Penney-trained Jebrica. Planning to pick his
spots over the Santa Anita meet, he next rode the Richard Mandella-trained
Readyforhercloseup to a closing fifth in Friday’s 3RD race.

His winning mount on Saturday, Branding, was making her second career start
off a 6 1/2-month layoff. In her June 28 debut at Hollywood Park, the Street
Sense filly was a nonthreatening eighth behind Executiveprivilege.

Branding broke alertly, but was allowed to settle comfortably in midpack. Up
front, 9-5 favorite Tizmetizyou prompted the pacesetting Rhinestone Diva through
fractions of :22 2/5 and :45 2/5 before taking command turning for home.

Branding, who had begun to improve her position, was a gaining third at the
head of the lane. Stevens angled her into a path to the inside of Tizmetizyou,
and Branding took off. Producing a strong late kick, she drew clear to complete
seven furlongs in 1:23 4/5 on the fast track.

The Hall of Famer takes his place in the winner’s circle that he knows so well (Benoit Photos)

Bred by Royal Pegasus in Kentucky, Branding was a $250,000 Keeneland
September yearling purchase. The bay is out of the winning Storm Cat mare
Awesome, a half-sister to Hall of Famer Inside Information and multiple Grade
1-winning millionaire Educated Risk. Inside Information, the champion older mare
of 1995, went on to produce 2005 champion three-year-old filly Smuggler.

Stevens’ comeback win was his 4,889th in North America, and his earnings
stand at $221,252,824, according to Equibase. Details of his North American race
record, including Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup highlights, can be found on his

profile page at equibase.com.

Stevens, who will celebrate his 50th birthday on March 6, is continuing to
work as a racing analyst on HRTV and NBC. But that won’t detract from his focus
on riding in races.

“You can consider me a full-time rider,” Stevens said.