Sunday Rules Wires the Boys in Cal Cup Sprint

Sunday Rules, scratched out of last Saturday’s Grade II Santa Monica Stakes, took on the boys for the first time in her nine-race career and responded with a rollicking 2 ¼ length win in the $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint today at Santa Anita.

Trained by Phil D’Amato, the Nick Alexander homebred 5-year-old mare by Tribal Rule was ridden by Edwin Maldonado and stopped the timer for six furlongs in a rapid 1:08.42. 

“She’s a small filly, but she has such a long stride,” said Maldonado, who hadn’t ridden her since August of 2013 at Del Mar.  “I just want to thank Phil and Nick Alexander for giving me the opportunity to get back on her…I was confident she could win this race.”

The second choice at 9-5 in a field of seven, Sunday Rules paid $5.80, $4.80 and $3.80.  Out of the General Meeting mare Sunday Dress, she picked up her eighth career win and with the winner’s share of $90,000, increased her earnings to $534,840.

“We missed the Santa Monica because of a spider bite,” said Alexander. “Her hock blew up, but it was the spider that caused it…I know it’s (taking on males) not always something you should do and I was ready to take the blame for it, but it worked out.”

“As soon as (runner-up) Raised a Secret came to her, she spurted out a length or so and I thought she’d maintain it,” said D’Amato.  “Edwin got her in a great rhythm and she maintained it all the way to the wire.”

Ridden by Santiago Gonzalez, Raised a Secret was off at 16-1 and paid $11.40 and $7.40

Solid Wager rallied from last around the far turn to finish third, 1 ¾ lengths behind Raised a Secret.  Off at 15-1, Solid Wager paid $5.80 to show.