Horse Racing Capsules: Switch wins Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Overwhelming favorite Switch romped to a 3½-length victory Sunday in the $250,000 Santa Monica Stakes for her second Grade 1 win of the young Santa Anita season.
The 4-year-old filly ridden by Joel Rosario was barely challenged by the other five older females in the field, catching a pair of early leaders on the turn and leading by as many as four lengths in the stretch as she covered seven furlongs in 1:20.70.
"I didn't think it would set up that easy," Rosario said. "She's a nice horse and she's improving more and more every day."
The winner paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Gilded Gem was second and returned $4.80 and $3.40. Sweet August Moon paid $4 to show.
Switch has won five times in 12 starts for earnings of $782,600 and was coming off a victory in Santa Anita's opening day La Brea Stakes.
Trainer John Sadler thinks after the two Grade 1 wins she can become the nation's top older female.
"I thought we'd have a chance to be leader of the division this year, with Zenyatta retiring," Sadler said in the winner's circle. "Switch is very, very good, as good as anything out there."
Dialed In wins Holy Bull at Gulfstream
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Dialed In overcame a 15-length deficit to beat Sweet Ducky by 1½ lengths Sunday in the $400,000 Holy Bull for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park.
Dialed In, ridden by Julien Leparoux and trained by Nick Zito, won the Kentucky Derby prep for his second victory in two career starts, running a mile in 1:35.19 and paying $7.40, $4.80 and $3.60. Sweet Ducky returned $13 and $6.60, and Gourmet Dinner paid $3.60 to show.
Dialed In, owned by Robert LaPenta, also won at Churchill Downs on Nov. 12.
"He's very special," Zito said. "'ve never had a horse do this — go from a maiden special race to jump up and win a race like the Holy Bull. I wasn't that surprised that he was so far back early. I had a good feeling and confidence in Julien to let him be in the right place and then get into the mix."
Earlier, Pomeroys Pistol won the $200,000 Forward Gal for 3-year-old fillies, holding off Dancinginherdreams by three-quarters of a length. Pomeroys Pistol, ridden by Paco Lopez, ran 7 furlongs in 1:22.890 and paid $20.40, $6.80 and $4.60. Dancinginherdreams returned $3 and $2.40, and Evil Queen paid $8.40.
Hall of Fame trainer J. Elliott Burch dies at 86
OZONE PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Hall of Fame horse trainer J. Elliott Burch, who won the Belmont Stakes with Sword Dancer, Quadrangle, and Arts and Letters, has died after complications from pneumonia. He was 86.
Burch died Saturday at Newport Hospital in Rhode Island, the New York Racing Association said. A memorial service is scheduled for next Saturday in Middletown, R.I.
The son of Hall of Famer Preston Burch and grandson of Hall of Famer William Burch, J. Elliott Burch began his 30-year training career in 1955. He went on to saddle more than 60 stakes winners, including Key to the Mint, the 3-year-old champion in 1972.
Burch was inducted into horse racing's Hall of Fame in 1980.
Driven by Solar wins Big A feature
NEW YORK (AP) — Driven by Solar led all the way Sunday, beating Poppa's Pick by three lengths in the $46,000 allowance feature at Aqueduct.
Fernando Jara was aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Michael Repole, a potential investor in the New York Mets. A 5-year-old, Driven by Solar won for fifth time in the last six starts. The time was 1:10.66 for the six furlongs on the track rated good.
Driven by Solar paid $10, $5 and $4.20. Poppa's Pick returned $6.70 and $4.20. Smokin Hero paid $6.40 to show.
