Big Bane Theory Best in City of Hope Mile

Favored Big Bane Theory left no doubt as to who was best in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita, winning by a length and a half as he bested 10 rivals while covering one mile on turf in 1:32.38.  

Ridden by Joe Talamo, who collected his third win of the day, Big Bane Theory was off at 5-2 and paid $7.60, $4.00 and $2.80.

“We had a perfect trip,” said Talamo.  “I was able to save ground and they were flying up front, goin’ pretty quick which was perfect for us.  I saw (eventual seventh place finisher) Soi Phet drifting out on the turn a bit and I had to weave us through a bit of traffic that last part, but I got him out and then he did the rest.”

A 5-year-old horse by Artie Schiller, Big Bane Theory is trained by Carla Gaines and is owned by his breeders, Scott Gross and Mark Devereaux.  In picking up his first graded stakes win, he notched his fourth overall win from 11 starts.  With the winners’ share of $120,000, he increased his earnings to $330,640.

“He’s very, very good-minded, easy to train,” said Gaines.  “I didn’t think they were going that slow (22.48, 45.42, 1:08.81, 1:20.77)…I was just thinking to myself I hope Joe sits, because they were going to come back to him.  He saved ground.  He rode him so beautifully.”

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Mr. Commons was next to last after the first half mile and rallied to finish second, a neck in front of Avanzare.  Off at 9-2, Mr. Commons paid $5.20 and $3.80.

Avanzare attended the pace with Drayden Van Dyke and finished third, two lengths in front of Rock Me Baby.  Off at 10-1, Avanzare paid $5.80 to show.

There was one winning ticket in Saturday’s Pick Six.  Purchased for $192.00 in San Mateo, California, it paid $90,508.60.

Source: Santa Anita Park