Ginger Tap Scores at Santa Anita

With leading rider Rafael Bejarano at the controls, Ginger Tap was taken off a fast pace and found her best stride late to win Thursday’s $58,000 allowance feature at Santa Anita by three quarters of a length while getting 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46.89.

Trained by Neil Drysdale, Ginger Tap, a 4-year-old grey filly by Tapit, was the second choice in a field of eight older fillies and mares and paid $9.00, $4.60 and $3.20.

Next to last going to the far turn, Bejarano, who sat behind contested fractions of 22.62, 45.81, 1:09.91 and 1:34.64, opted to keep his mount free running and was three-deep turning for home.

“There was a strong pace, even though it didn’t look like that on paper,” said Drysdale.  “She was able to get a good position due to that.  I think the farther the better with her, moving forward.”

Owned by David Heerensperger, Ginger Tap logged her second win from six starts and banked $34,800 for the win, increasing her earnings to $92,890.

Remarkable Moon, the longest shot in the field at 40-1, was dead last turning for home, angled out under left handed encouragement from Victor Espinoza and rallied wide-out for the place, finishing 1 ¼ lengths in front of Villeneuve.

Remarkable Moon paid $30.20 and $12.80.

Ridden by Brice Blanc, Villeneuve was in tight quarters a furlong out and picked it up nicely when angled outside a three-horse spread a sixteenth of a mile from home, finishing third, a neck in front of Passionate Diva, who set the pace while pressured by Feline Forum, who finished fifth.

Off at 15-1, English-bred Villeneuve paid $8.80 to show.