Sam's Sister Leads Santa Monica Field
Sam’s Sister, winner of the Grade I La Brea Stakes on Dec. 26, was made the 9-5 morning line favorite by Jon White for Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday feature, the Grade II Santa Monica Stakes at seven furlongs.
The 4-year-old daughter of 2006 Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek trained by Jerry Hollendorfer was scratched from today’s La Canada Stakes.
The Santa Monica, race five of nine: Master the Blues, Kent Desormeaux, 20-1; Dancinthenightaway, Tyler Baze, 5-2; Lexington Pearl, Victor Espinoza, 20-1; Sam’s Sister, Elvis Trujillo, 9-5; Harlington’s Rose, Joe Talamo, 10-1; My Sweet Addiction, Gary Stevens, 2-1; and Sweet Martini, Martin Garcia, 7-2.
Fans can “buck up” on another popular Dollar Day at Santa Anita Monday, the finale of a three-day holiday weekend at The Great Race Place. On-track attendees can enjoy draft beers, hot dogs and sodas for a dollar each. First post time is 12:30 p.m.
On the day of his 94th birthday, Saturday was another day at the office for John Shear.
“I love working here every day,” said the diminutive Shear, in his 53rd year at Santa Anita where he now serves as Paddock Captain. “When I get to see lovely people at the track every day, it makes it all worth it.”
Shear, who gained national recognition for an act of heroism in March of 2011 when he threw his body over a 5-year-old girl to save her from injury when a horse broke free from his handler, went home as usual after his morning routine to enjoy lunch before returning to his duties at the track. Asked how it feels to be 94, Shear responded matter-of-factly. “Well,” he said. “I certainly don’t mind.”
Source: Ed Golden, Santa Anita Stable Notes