Neige Blanche uses strong stretch run to win Astra Stakes

Neige Blanche went off as the 1-5 favorite and showed why on Monday, pulling ahead down the stretch to win the Grade 3, $125,000 Astra Stakes Monday at Santa Anita. It was the 5-year-old Anodin mare’s first race of 2022 and her second consecutive victory, following a win in the Red Carpet Handicap (G3) at Del Mar in November.

Out of the gate for the 1 1/2-mile turf race for fillies and mares aged four and up, it was Frose getting to the early lead. Neige Blanche settled into third for most of the race, before finding room at the top of the stretch and sailing to a one-length victory under jockey Juan Hernandez.

Disappearing Act finished second while Scherzo rounded out the trifecta. Fractions for the race were 25.99, 51.35, 1:16.99, 1:42.70 and 2:08.06. The winning time was 2:32.27.

Neige Blanche, trained by Leonard Powell, returned $2.60. Track conditions were listed as firm.

Niege Blance is owned by a partnership led by Madaket Stables. The win moved her career earnings to $395,012.