Santa Anita: Cutback looks super for Casalu in Sweet Life

Cutting back in distance for Sunday’s $100,000 Sweet Life Stakes proved to be no problem for odds-on favorite Casalu at Santa Anita.

Following her win in the Blue Norther Stakes going a mile on turf in December, Casalu (3-5) made it consecutive stakes victories when she sprinted about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in the Sweet Life for 3-year-old fillies.

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The Caracaro filly ridden by Flavien Prat for trainer Bob Baffert scored comfortably by 1 3/4 lengths over runner-up As Catch Can. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Tequilaandtherapy (9-1) in third with 9-2 second choice Schilflied rounding out the superfecta.

Casalu was prominent throughout. After breaking in front, she soon ceded the lead to 20-1 long shot Practical Dream ridden by Antonio Fresu. Casalu proceeded to press the leader on the outside, took over at the dirt crossing and then kicked clear to win comfortably.

Casalu won with a time of 1:12.90 following fractions of 22.69, 44.44 and 1:06.92.

Prat was aboard Casalu for the first time. She had been ridden by Kazushi Kimura, who is sidelined with an injury.

“It was pretty simple,” Prat said. “She broke well and as always was very professional. She got the job done. I was thankful to pick up the mount. I know Kazushi Kimura is out, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Baffert was not at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Casalu is owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. She improved to 8: 3-2-1 with $234,546 in earnings. Before earning her first stakes win in the Blue Norther, Casalu finished in the top four in five consecutive stakes starts without a victory.

Casalu paid $3.20, $2.20 and $2.10. As Catch Can, ridden by Umberto Rispoli for trainer Jonathan Thomas, returned $6.00 and $4.20. Tequilaandtherapy, with Edwin Maldonado aboard for trainer Doug O’Neill, paid $3.20.