Air Strike catches Cistron to win Santa Anita's Triple Bend thriller
Next to last but on the move leaving the three-furlong pole, longshot Air Strike rallied wide turning for home and was up to beat front-running Cistron by a head in a thrilling finish to Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Ridden by Norberto Arroyo, Jr. and trained by Phil D’Amato, Air Strike, a 4-year-old colt by Street Sense, got seven furlongs in 1:23.12.
"It looked like it was going to work out on paper," D'Amato said. "I told Norberto to just let them set the table for you and just come with that big wide run and just keep on em’. He followed instructions to a tee with a great ride and got the job done."
Cistron, who broke from post position two, opened up a three-length lead at the top of the stretch, but just missed in a heartbreaking defeat.
"That was a tough one," Espinoza said. "I knew the fractions were fast but he was in charge."
Most recently fourth in a Grade 3 stakes going one mile at Lone Star Park on April 28, Air Strike was off at 12-1 in a field of eight 3-year-olds and up and paid $27.40, $10.40 and $4.60.
Owned by Madaket Stables LLC, Slam Dunk Racing and Michael Nentwig, Air Strike, who is out of the Tapit mare Omnitap, picked up his first ever stakes win in the Triple Bend and with the winner’s share of $120,000, hiked his earnings to $279,310.
Based in Kentucky for his first three starts with trainer Steve Asmussen before being sold privately, Air Strike has now won three out of his seven starts with D’Amato and is 10-3-2-1 overall.
Cistron, who carved out splits of 22.10, 44.53 and 1:09.61, was off at 5-1 and paid $5.80 and $3.40 while finishing 1 ½ lengths in front of Nero.
Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Nero, who was second turning for home, was off at 4-1 and paid $3.60 while besting 9-5 favorite American Anthem by a half-length.
Ridden by Mike Smith, American Anthem, who broke from the rail, was shuffled back to sixth position heading to the half mile pole and never threatened.