Santa Anita: Daddysruby noses out Big Pond in thrilling La Brea

A first-condition allowance winner Oct. 27, long shot Daddysruby went to the front in the Grade 1, $300,000 La Brea Stakes and just held on late to win by the narrowest of noses over fellow California-bred Big Pond on opening day Tuesday at Santa Anita.

Jockey Juan Hernández and trainer Peter Miller teamed to get the seven-furlong distance in 1:23.06.

Daddysruby was quick from her rail post and withstood early, hot pursuit from favored Howl, who tired noticeably when the winner opened up a critical, two-length advantage on Big Pond three furlongs from home.

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“We just wanted to get a good position, because we were on the rail,” Hernández said. “I watched the other horses break, and I knew we didn’t need to go right to the lead. We broke quick. She’s so game. She gave me a couple of more jumps in the lane.”

“I told Juan, ‘Help her away from there. If they go crazy, she doesn’t need the lead you can sit, but if you can get the lead take it.” And he did,” Miller said.

Although a length clear at the sixteenth pole, fatigue set in, and Daddysruby just managed to stave off a determined challenge from legendary Frankie Dettori aboard the runner-up.

“You don’t remember all the photo finishes that you won,” Miller said. “You remember all the ones that you’ve lost, so I’m sitting here thinking I lost another one.”

“I wasn’t so sure when we crossed the wire,” Hernández said, “but when my number went up, I was so happy.”

Off at 6-1 in a field of nine sophomore fillies, Daddysruby paid $14.20, $6.20 and $4.20. Owned by breeder Jethorse, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber, Daddysruby is headquartered at San Luis Rey Downs and was making her first stakes start. She had four wins from five starts coming into Tuesday.

With the La Brea winner’s share of $180,000, Daddysruby more than doubled her earnings to $352,014.

In a huge effort, Tim Yakteen-trained Big Pond, a winner vs. state breds in the seven-furlong Fleet Treat Stakes in July at Del Mar, was off at 5-1 and paid $5.40 and $3.60 after finishing four lengths in front of well-fancied Clearly Unhinged.

The second choice at 5-2, Clearly Unhinged, who was ridden by Umberto Rispoli, paid $3.00 and finished a half-length in front of Royal Spa.

The 8-5 favorite, Howl faded to finish eighth.

Fractions for the race were 22.21, 44.49 and 1:09.60 on the fast main track.