Gracie Ragazza Surprises at Los Al
Gracie Ragazza parlayed a pace-pressing trip into a 12-1 upset in the $46,500 feature Friday at Los Alamitos.
Making her first start since Oct. 9 at Santa Anita, the 3-year-old daughter of Eddington won her second in a row over the local surface, defeating Fleet of Gold by one length.
Trained by Mark Glatt for owners Dan and Tanya Freeman, Gracie Ragazza was never far off the lead established by 17-1 shot Best Efforts, gained the advantage with about 2 ½ furlongs to run and held the 6-5 favorite, who was runner-up for the fifth time in her last six starts, safe.
Ridden by Tyler Baze, Gracie Ragazza, who is out of the Gilded Time mare Time Tosay Goodbye, completed the mile in 1:36.67 for her third win in eight starts. Her previous victory at Los Alamitos came by 4 ¼ lengths as the 5-2 favorite in a $40,000 starter allowance Sept. 18.
The third longest shot in the field of seven, Gracie Ragazza paid $26.20, $7.40 and $4. The $27,600 payday increased her bankroll to $79,710.
Fleet of Gold, who was ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, returned $3 and $2.40 while finishing three-quarters of a length in front of 9-2 third choice Tacit Approval. The show price on Tacit Approval was $3.40.
Completing the order of finish were Best Efforts, Proud Vixen, Swiss Lake Yodeler, the 2-1 second choice, and Soresca.
Jockey Gerardo Gavica suffered a broken right leg and will be sidelined for minimum two months after being injured in a starting gate mishap Thursday.
Gavica was hurt when I Am Going Global, a longshot in the $30,000 maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies, acted up prior to the start of the eighth race and was ultimately scratched by the track veterinarian.
Riding primarily at Los Alamitos’ quarter horse meet, Gavica has 58 wins from 273 mounts in 2014.
Racing resumes Saturday at Los Alamitos. Post time is 12:30 p.m.
The main event on the nine-race card is the Grade II, $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes for fillies and mares (3-year-olds & up) at 1 1/16 miles.
Topping the field of six is Tiz Midnight, who finished sixth after being part of the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff won by Untapable Oct. 31 at Santa Anita, and Yahilwa, winner of the $200,000 Treasure Chest Stakes Nov. 22 at Delta Downs in Louisiana.
The Bayakoa goes as the seventh race. Approximate post time is 3:30 p.m.
There will be a tribute concert at the conclusion of the day’s races featuring Mick Adams and the Stones. The show will continue until the quarter horse card begins at 6 p.m.
Source: Los Alamitos Race Course