Santa Anita: Angel Nadeshiko (18-1) wires field in Robert J. Frankel
Dismissed at 18-1, trainer Paddy Gallagher’s Angel Nadeshiko pulled off a front-running heist in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita, as she had plenty left in the tank late to prevail by three quarters of a length while getting a mile and one eighth under Antonio Fresu in 1:50.69.
Allowed to make an easy lead while in-hand around the first turn, Angel Nadeshiko strolled through fractions of 25.67, 51.16, 1:15.41 and 1:38.98 over a course softened some by early morning rain and listed as good.
With fellow longshot Rebel Girl second, a length behind the winner going to the far turn, Fresu stepped on the gas, shook loose and was then able to keep Lakota Spirit at bay late.
Most recently fifth in an ungraded one mile stakes at Los Alamitos on Sept. 23, Angel Nadeshiko, a 4-year-old filly by Carpe Diem, had been winless in her last seven starts dating back to December of last year and paid $39.80, $13.40 and $4.40.
Owned by US Equine, Angel Nadeshiko, who is out of the Arch mare Cianchetta, notched her first stakes win and her third victory from 16 career starts. With the winner’s share of $60,000, she improved her earnings to $227,780.
Gallagher credited the return to front-running tactics for his filly's victory.
“We have experimented with her before, taking her back and see if it would change it up and I have been lucky enough to have jocks on that would try to experiment and see what she liked," he said. "We decided today to go ahead, and they left her alone long enough, so we are very happy.”
Lakota Spirit, ridden by Juan Hernandez, saved ground while a close third most of the trip and fired off the turn for home but couldn’t overcome the slow pace set by the winner. Off as the 8-5 favorite in a field of six fillies and mare three and up, she paid $4.00 and $2.80.
Ridden by Flavien Prat and like Lakota Spirit, trained by Phil D’Amato, Oakhurst was off as the second choice at 2-1 and paid $2.20 to show.