McAnally Expects More From Rosehill Dew
Ron McAnally’s back and Santa Anita has him. The Hall of Fame trainer
was at his familiar perch at Clockers’ Corner Monday morning, as much a
fixture as the San Gabriel Mountains, after a trip overseas in search
of another champion.
“I was gone a few weeks,” McAnally said of his journey with
long-time associate Murray Friedlander. “We went to the Arc sale and
bought one horse. We’ve got a yearling coming out, maybe two.”
Whether the 79-year-old McAnally comes up with another John
Henry, Paseana, Bayakoa, Northern Spur or Tight Spot—champions
all—remains to be seen.
His immediate focus is on a filly named Rosehill Dew, scheduled
to run in Sunday’s Grade III Harold C. Ramser Sr. Stakes for 3-year-old
fillies at one mile on turf. Rosehill Dew is owned by McAnally’s wife,
Debbie.
The bay was sixth in an overnight race at Del Mar on Aug. 21,
beaten less than four lengths after a slow start, but was fourth in the
Grade II San Clemente Handicap in her previous race, on July 24. “We ran
her back a little soon after the San Clemente and she’s not a real big
filly,” McAnally said. “But she’s had plenty of time now, so hopefully
she’ll run good.”
The Irish-bred daughter of Danehill Dancer broke her maiden at
first asking in Deauville in August of last year but is winless in five
starts in the U.S. Brice Blanc, who has ridden the bay in each of her
U.S. races, retains the mount.
There were 12 nominees to the Ramser and 11 entered.
The field for the Ramser, the eighth of nine races: Bauble Queen, Joe Talamo; Sarah’s Secret, Mike Smith; Imperialistic Diva, Kerwin John; Celestial Kitten, Patrick Valenzuela; Going for a Spin, Daniel Vergara; Glowing Spirit, Omar Berrio; Entrustment, David Flores; Tales in Excess, Victor Espinoza; Rosehill Dew, Brice Blanc; Up In Time, Martin Garcia; and Cathy’s Crunches, Chantal Sutherland.