Paradise Woods stumbles, La Force capitalizes to win Santa Maria

With a stumble out of the gate, Paradise Woods opened up opportunity in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes. La Force took advantage, sweeping to the lead off the far turn with enough in reserve to fend off the odds-on favorite.

A 5-year-old mare who has become a mainstay in the division out west took a relaxed trip, going last to first in a compact field of five under jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who was in the irons for trainer Paddy Gallagher.

Meanwhile, Paradise Woods started last due to trouble leading the gate. She rushed up to be fourth into the first turn, sat in behind horses and then took back again through the far turn as jockey Mike Smith stood up in the irons.

Tipped out in the stretch, Paradise Woods rallied but couldn’t catch La Force before the wire with the final time 1:45.92 for 1 1/16 miles.

"We thought she'd be on the lead," Gallagher said of Paradise Woods, "but it didn't turn out that way. "La Force put it together, and we are very happy."

"I still thought I could win it at the quarter pole," Smith said, "but by the time I got out, the winner kicked away from us and we couldn’t get ’em.”

Paradise Woods earned her backing having ended a seven-race losing streak dating back to 2017 last out when she won the Santa Margarita (G2) by 10 1/2 lengths.

La Force, meanwhile, is a German-bred who won her third career race and first stakes. She is also multiple Grade 1-placed.

"It's very rewarding," said Chuck Winner, who campaigns La Force with Roberta and Ward Willaford. "...To beat Paradise Woods was really special, because she's a special horse."

Added Winner, with the Breeders' Cup Distaff scheduled to run later this year at Santa Anita Park: "We're dreaming."

Just a Smide was third, Exuberance fourth, and Tapped rounded out the running order.

Off at 5-1, La Force returned $12.80 to win.