Desert Dawn, Midnight Memories rematch in La Cañada

Desert Dawn had the look of a winner in last month’s Grade 3 Bayakoa at Los Alamitos before a somewhat adventurous stretch run allowed favorite Midnight Memories to sneak through and snatch victory. On Saturday at Santa Anita, the two mares will meet again in the Grade 3 La Cañada going the same the same 1 1/16-mile distance. Post time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EST.

Trained by Phil D’Amato, Desert Dawn and Hector Berrios got the jump on Midnight Memories in the Bayakoa when going four wide leaving the second turn and taking the lead entering the stretch. They remained a length in front with just a furlong remaining. But as Desert Dawn began drifting in the long Los Alamitos stretch, Midnight Memories and Juan Hernandez dutifully kept to their task and inched clear late to score a one-length victory for Bob Baffert.

“I think the jockey moved way too soon and she got lost out there,” D’Amato said of the Bayakoa. “He was moving her around to try and let her sense company was coming. But by then it was too late.”

In Saturday’s La Cañada, Desert Dawn (2-1) will have a new rider as Flavien Prat, a 2023 Eclipse Award finalist for the nation’s outstanding jockey, jumps aboard. Joining Desert Dawn in a six-horse field is stablemate Cliquish, who is seeking a first stakes win for D’Amato.

A 5-year-old mare by Cupid, Arizona-bred Desert Dawn has banked $895,525 with a record of 18: 2-5-5. Her biggest win came here in 2022 in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2). D’Amato hopes the switch to Prat and return to her favorite track can lead to a better result on Saturday.

“Santa Anita is where she won her graded stakes. She’s always run her good races here,” D’Amato said on Thursday.

Cliquish, a 4-year-old Bernadini filly, cleared her first-level allowance condition two starts back at Del Mar going a mile on dirt Nov. 23. Most recently, she failed to fire when trying turf in the one-mile Lady of Shamrock here Dec. 3.

“She had a nice breakthrough performance at Del Mar. Then she absolutely hated the grass last time,” D’Amato said. “I would draw a line through that performance. But she’s come back with a nice drill and is a filly that’s always been consistent going long on dirt. With a short field and her tactical speed, it’s worth taking a shot in here.”

On Saturday, Cliquish will be ridden by Kazushi Kimura for the first time.

Campaigned by H & E Ranch, Cliquish was purchased for $80,000 at auction as a 2-year-old. She has a record of 9: 2-1-1 with $93,840 in earnings.