Mangita Rates Kindly in Santa Anita Feature

Trainer Bruce Headley’s Mangita rated kindly under Aaron Gryder and took command inside the furlong pole en route to a 1 ½ length win in Thursday’s $58,000 Sand Bar Purse allowance at Santa Anita, getting one mile on turf in 1:34.14.

The second choice at 2-1 in a field of seven California-bred fillies and mares, Mangita paid $6.40, $3.60 and $2.40.  Bred and owned in-part by Headley, Irwin Molasky and Andrew Molasky, the 4-year-old filly by Cyclotron picked up $34,000 for the win, increasing her earnings to $107,600.  She now has three wins and four seconds from seven starts.

Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Highly Rated was sent to the lead out of the gate and showed the way while pressured by the winner through fractions of 23.06, 45.88, 1:09.64 and 1:21.77.

Off at 12-1, Highly Rated paid $10.20 and $5.80.

Irenes Jackpot, ridden by Joe Talamo, sat a distant third into the far turn and held off 8-5 favorite Tiz a Kiss for the show, returning $3.80.