Mongolian Groom upsets Solomini in Santa Anita feature

With heavily favored Solomini failing to deliver the final sixteenth of a mile, longshot Mongolian Groom took full advantage as he stormed up the rail to post a 1 ¼ length win under Geovanni Franco in Friday's allowance feature at Santa Anita Park. Trained by Enebish Ganbat and owned by his Mongolian Stable, Mongolian Groom got a flat mile on a main track listed as good in 1:36.98. 

Breaking from the rail, Mongolian Groom tracked dueling leaders Beaumarchais and Solomini while a close fifth turning up the backside. Turning for home, he took advantage of a narrow opening on the fence and went on to victory as Solomini tired to finish a disappointing third. 

Off at 13-1 in a field of six older horses, Mongolian Groom paid $28.80, $13.40 and $3.40. 

“It set up pretty good for us,” said Franco.  “We had the best post and he was going well the whole way.  When he saw that hole at the rail, he attacked.” 

Winless since breaking his maiden at a mile on turf five starts back on June 15, 2018, Mongolian Groom, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Hightail, out of the Dynaformer mare Bourbonesque, now has two wins from eight starts and with the winner’s share of $34,200, he now has earnings of $80,590. 

Hustled from the opening bell by Martin Pedroza, Beaumarchais out-gamed the favorite when it counted, finishing second by a half length.  Off at 16-1, Beaumarchais paid $17.80 and $3.80. 

Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Flavien Prat, Solomini, who possesses an enviable bankroll of $764,345, despite having won just one race from nine starts coming into Friday, simply could not sustain his run and had to settle for third money, finishing 2 ¾ lengths in front of Super Duper Cooper. 

Off as the 1-5 choice, he paid $2.10 to show. 

Fractions on the race were 24.15, 48.02, 1:12.20 and 1:24.55.