Jojo Warrior Wires Foes in Summertime Oaks

Zayat Stables, LLC's homebred Jojo Warrior took to the lead and never looked back, drawing clear to win the Grade 2, $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita.

Guided by Martin Garcia, Jojo Warrior vied with the wagering favorite Delta Flower for the early lead. Shaking off her rival, Jojo Warrior controlled a pace of :23.25, :46.61 and 1:10.78, a length ahead of Delta Flower. Live for Now and Front Range followed.

At the top of the stretch, Jojo Warrior met little resistance and romped home to win by four or five lengths. Maiden-runner Live for Now closed well to secure second, while Delta Flower finished third.

Jojo Warrior finished the 1 1/16 mile route in 1:43.09.

Earning her first graded stakes win, the 3-year-old filly found the extra distance to her liking. Her only win came in her maiden-breaking victory at 5 1/2 furlongs on the Del Mar synthetic on Sept. 2.

The Bob Baffert-trainee added blinkers for the first time, and this victory improves her record to two wins, a second and a third from five lifetime starts for earnings of more than $200,000.

Bred in Kentucky by her owner, Jojo Warrior is by Pioneerof the Nile and out of the Carson City dam Carson Jen.

Sent off 3-1, Jojo Warrior paid $8.40 for the win. The 16-1 runnerup, Live for Now, completed the $51.40 exacta.