Edwards Going Left runs away with California Cup Sprint
Although heavily favored Masochistic broke well and appeared to be in control heading into the far turn, he came up empty when headed three furlongs from home by eventual winner Edwards Going Left, who went on to a resounding six length win in Saturday’s $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. Ridden by Tyler Baze and trained by John Sadler, the 4-year-old Midnight Lute gelding got six furlongs in 1:09.47.
"This horse showed some guts today," said Baze. "Drayden had me in tighter than (crap) down at the rail. I thought I’d be three or four off but I had to keep my position. This horse just showed guts being a half length back stuck on the inside. He’s done nothing but what we’ve asked of him."
Sent hard from his rail post position, Edwards Going Left was part of a four-horse spread that included the favorite, B Squared and Tough Sunday midway around the far turn and had gone 2 ½ lengths clear by the three sixteenths pole.
Second in the Grade I Malibu here on Dec. 26 and off at 2-1 in a field of six older horses bred or sired in California, Edwards Going Left, who was claimed for $50,000 out his first start on Feb. 9, 2017, paid $6.80, $4.00 and $4.80.
Owned by Hronis Racing, LLC, Edwards Going Left notched his second career win and improved his overall mark to 11-7-1-1. With the winner’s share of $90,000, he increased his earnings to $381,390.
Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, B Squared was off at 10-1 and paid $7.80 and $10.00 while finishing 1 ¼ lengths in front of Tough Sunday.
Off at 5-1 with Tyler Baze, Tough Sunday paid $6.40 to show.
Masochistic, who was off at 3-5, was beaten 11 ¾ lengths while finishing fifth under Drayden Van Dyke.
Fractions on the race 22.50, 45.12 and 56.98.
"If you just look at this horse’s record, he’s got seven wins already" said Sadler. "He’s a winning horse. He’s a really nice horse and runs a good race every time. He’s been a little unlucky in a couple spots, but we’re really thrilled today. The (Grade I) Malibu (second) was a very strong race. It always is every year, if you follow Southern California. He was kind of pinned down there that day and forced to wait. He couldn’t catch the other horse (City of Light), and Tyler kind of went on from there. We’re hoping he’ll get an outside draw one of these days.
"We’ll look at the Santa Anita stakes schedule to see what’s next, but he’ll be on the Santa Anita schedule."
SOURCE: Santa Anita Park