Trainer Jeff Mullins’ filly Vanta, expertly guided by jockey Umberto Rispoli, overcame early leader Blockade to claim victory as a heavy 1-5 favorite in the $100,000 Surfer Girl (G3) race for 2-year-old fillies on Sunday at Santa Anita. The one-mile turf race saw Vanta, a daughter of Greatest Honour, maintain her undefeated record at 3-for-3, including two stakes wins, and position herself as a strong contender for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) scheduled for Oct. 30 at Keeneland.
Vanta trailed near the back of the seven-horse field behind Blockade, who set solid fractions of :23.19, :48.07, and 1:12.31 through six furlongs. Gradually gaining ground on the turns, Vanta closed rapidly in the stretch to overtake Blockade near the finish, winning by three-quarters of a length with Big Blast, ridden by Joel Rosario, finishing two lengths behind in third. Vanta completed the mile in 1:35.17.
Earlier on the card, Rispoli also secured a win in the $100,000 Zuma Beach (G3) on Repo Man, trained by Michael McCarthy. Rispoli noted he was careful not to overexert Vanta, aiming to preserve her ability ahead of the Breeders’ Cup. “Jeff wants to keep her fresh for the big day,” he explained, adding that Vanta has yet to be pushed to her full potential.
Vanta was purchased by Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures for $370,000 at the OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training. She had previously won her debut five-furlong turf sprint at Del Mar and followed that with a mile stakes win at the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf on Sept. 6, where Blockade also placed second.
Trainer Mullins was content with his filly’s performance, saying the race unfolded much like her past victories, requiring little intervention. Vanta returned $2.40 for the win.
In the Zuma Beach stakes, Rispoli drove Repo Man, the 4-5 favorite, in a thrilling head-to-head battle with stablemate Maxify (2-1) down the stretch. After some contact and a jockey objection that prompted a steward’s inquiry, officials upheld Repo Man’s victory by a head. Duty Bound, trained by Jack Sisterson, finished third, 4½ lengths behind.
Rispoli dismissed concerns about the inquiry, explaining that Repo Man was forced inward by Maxify late in the race but held his ground to secure the win. Repo Man, a colt sired by Golden Pal, rallied impressively from last at the quarter pole to claim the $100,000 one-mile turf race in 1:36.05, with fractions of :24.25, :49.02, and 1:12.57.
The pace was slower than anticipated following the late scratch of Off in the Corner, which made the race more tactical, Rispoli noted. He intentionally raced Repo Man close to other horses to teach him to handle traffic and passing rivals.
Maxify, a Justify ridgling who also remains undefeated in two starts, showed great promise in just his second career race.
Trainer McCarthy expressed optimism about both horses, highlighting their growth and potential as they prepare for the Breeders’ Cup. Repo Man was bought earlier this year by Amerman Racing for $235,000 during the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale of 2-year-olds in training.
Repo Man paid $3.60 to win.
Fan Take: These impressive performances by rising stars like Vanta and Repo Man highlight an exciting new generation in turf racing, promising thrilling competition at the upcoming Breeders’ Cup. Their success not only fuels anticipation for top-level juvenile races but also underlines the depth and quality investors and trainers are bringing to the sport, which bodes well for horse racing’s future appeal and fan engagement.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
