Black Saddle Stable, Kagele Brothers Inc. and Mark Leib’s SUPAH BLITZ (Mecke)
tracked in behind the pacesetting Ender’s Shadow (A.P. Indy) throughout
Saturday’s $106,000
Tokyo City H. (G3) at Santa Anita, then took over in the
stretch and drew off for an easy three-length victory. The Doug O’Neill-trained
five-year-old stopped the clock for the 1 1/8-mile fast track feature in 1:48
4/5 under jockey Victor Espinoza and paid out $4.80, $3.20 and $2.20 as the 7-5
favorite.
Espinoza settled Supah Blitz just to the outside of Enders’ Shadow, who set
splits of :23 2/5, :47 and 1:10 4/5, before gaining the lead and pulling away
under a hand ride through a mile in 1:35 3/5. Outta Here (Dehere) came with a
nice late run to earn second by a length but was no match for the winner. He
returned $3.80 and $2.40 as the 4-1 fourth pick in the five-horse field and
ended the $7.80 exacta ($1). Ender’s Shadow tired late but was still five
lengths better than Skukuza (Lord Avie), paying $2.40 and finishing the $19.60
trifecta ($1). That’s An Outrage (Quiet American) followed the top four under
the line after Jake Skate (Arch) was withdrawn.
Supah Blitz pushed his earnings to $1,084,210 with this win and improved his
lifetime mark to 36-7-12-5. The dark bay earned his first win this year here but
showed he liked the switch to O’Neill’s barn by scoring in the Del Mar Breeders’
Cup H. (G2) in his first start for the trainer. He now owns five stakes wins and
13 black-type placings, including the 2003 Fountain of Youth S. (G1) and last
year’s Goodwood Breeders’ Cup H. (G2).
Bred in Florida by Bee Bee Stables Inc. & Equitor Inc., Supah Blitz is out of
Grade 3 winner Boots ‘n Jackie (Major Moran) and has an unnamed yearling full
sister.