Santa Anita: Westwood and Princesa Moche win Saturday stakes

Princesa Moche, bet down to the 5-2 favorite in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Megahertz Stakes, proved horseplayers correct when gamely prevailing in a three-way photo to earn her first stakes win in the 1-mile turf event for older fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Mirco Demuro for trainer Doug O'Neill, the Peruvian import is proving to be one tough mare in her new surroundings.

A 5-year-old daughter of English-bred stallion Muwaary, Princesa Moche was exiting her U.S. stakes debut in the Las Cienegas Stakes (G3), sprinting about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course. She went to the lead that day and set the pace before grudgingly being overtaken late by top turf mare Queen Maxima to lose by a half-length.

The Megahertz was Princesa Moche's second time racing around two turns in the U.S. She stalked pacesetter Going Lucky (12-1) in second through moderate fractions of 23.73, 48.63 and 1:13.16 for six furlongs. Entering the stretch, Princesa Moche appeared as if she could be weakening. It would not be the case.

"I was a little scared because she relaxed a little too much at the last turn," Demuro said. "It looked like she was going to get beat. But then she switched leads down the stretch and she fought like always."

In the final furlong Princesa Moche found her top gear and finished best of all to win by a neck over Vibez, the 9-2 third choice ridden by Juan Hernandez. It was another neck back to Will Then (4-1) in third.

"I've never had a horse from Peru," O'Neill said. "She's average size, but I've told people she's like Tanner from 'Bad News Bears.' Just tough as nuts."

Added Demuro: "She is so strong. She is a lovely hearted filly. She runs at six furlongs and at a mile and every time she tries her best."

Princesa Moche's winning time was 1:36.09. The morning line favorite, Public Assembly, went off the slight second choice at 5-2 and finished fourth.

Prior to her U.S. stakes debut in the Las Cienegas, Princesa Moche won a second-level allowance going a mile on turf in November at Del Mar. Her overall record improved to 39: 12-4-5 with more than $170,000 in earnings. She is owned by Rancho San Roberto.

Princesa Moche paid $7.00, $4.20 and $2.80. Vibez returned $4.60 and $3.80. Will Then, ridden by Mike Smith for Jonathan Thomas, paid $3.60.

Westwood earns first stakes victory in San Pasqual

Westwood earned his first stakes victory Saturday at Santa Anita, rolling to a gate-to-wire score under Kazushi Kimura in the Grade 2, $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes for older horses going 1 1/8 miles.

The 4-year-old gelding by Authentic, trained by John Shirreffs, broke alertly from the outside post and quickly seized the lead from a fast-starting Getaway Car. Racing without blinkers for the first time in his 10-race career, Westwood set fractions of 24.24, 48.42 and 1:12.32 for six furlongs as Bartholdy stalked to his outside and Getaway Car tracked to his inside.

Entering the second turn, Getaway Car edged closer, prompting Kimura to ask his mount for more. Westwood responded in kind, repelling the bid and continuing to the wire to win by 2 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:50.52.

Sent off at 3-1, Westwood finished ahead of Getaway Car (2-1), who was another 7 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Bartholdy (7-2). Ghazaaly (16-1) and 8-5 favorite Midnight Mammoth completed the order of finish. Westwood's task in the San Pasqual (G2) became easier when Pony Express, the 8-5 program favorite trained by John Sadler, was scratched by veterinarians.

Westwood races for C R K Stable.

"You ever hear of a horse that likes to pedal? He's a good pedaler," Shirreffs said. "He likes a challenge. He likes to be asked and pushed along a little bit. Then when horses come to him he digs in. He's not a horse that can drop back and make a big turn. He likes to be on the front-end and feel the pressure."

This marked Westwood's fourth attempt at a stakes victory. Last year, he finished third in both the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Native Diver Stakes (G3) at Del Mar, and fourth in the Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita.

"It's lovely for the horse and (owner) Mr. Searing, who supports the business so much," Shirreffs said.

Kimura was riding Westwood for the first time. With the victory, the 26-year-old native of Japan became the leading jockey at the classic meet. The San Pasqual also marked his fourth stakes victory of the stand.

"This race it seemed like everyone was possible to go the lead. It was going to depend on how he broke today, racing without the blinkers," Kimura said. "He broke well without blinkers. I thought why not go to the lead. He was comfortable and got in a nice rhythm. At the three-eighths when I asked him to pick it up – he's a one-paced horse, so I was confident he would be able to keep going. I was already feeling pressure on the inside rail (from Getaway Car). I tried not to let him pass and keep moving."

Westwood improved his record to 10: 2-3-3 with more than $310,000 in earnings.

Westwood paid $8.40, $3.80 and $2.40. Getaway Car, ridden by Juan Hernandez for trainer Bob Baffert, paid $4.00 and $2.60. Bartholdy, with Tyler Baze up for trainer Steve Knapp, paid $2.40.