Surrender Now brilliant in Landaluce

Peter Miller, who has all but wrapped up Santa Anita’s Spring Meet training title, served notice the future could be still brighter, as his brilliant 2-year-old filly Surrender Now unleashed a devastating stretch kick to take Sunday’s $100,000 Landaluce Stakes at Santa Anita by eight lengths. Ridden by Norberto Arroyo, Jr., she got 5 ½ furlongs in 1:03.84.

A stalking second behind highly regarded Gorgeous Ginny into and around the far turn, Surrender Now, a $220,000 Barrett’s March 2-year-old in Training Sale purchase, assumed command a quarter mile from home and won in-hand.

“I was hoping to not have to use her more than I did in her first time out,” said Arroyo, who guided her to a two length win in her debut run going five furlongs here on June 9. “She was much the best in here, much the best. I haven’t even let her run yet. Not in the mornings and not in the afternoons. We don’t know what she can do, we haven’t had to use her. She’s exciting.”

The 3-2 favorite in a field of six juvenile fillies, Surrender Now paid $5.00, $2.80 and $2.40. Owned by Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch, she’s unbeaten in two starts and with the winner’s share of $60,000, she now has earnings of $92,400.

“I was relieved when I saw her open up,” said Miller, who now has 34 wins on this the 43rd day of the meet, 10 clear of Richard Baltas. “I was elated and happy to see it. At the quarter pole, I thought we were good. I saw the two (Gorgeous Ginny) look like she might be gettin’ out and when we came by her, it looked like Norberto hadn’t even asked her, so it felt pretty good.”

Sent from the gate by Jamie Theriot, Gorgeous Ginny motored to the early lead, but was no match for the winner when it counted. Off at 8-5, she paid $3.00 and $2.20 while finishing 1 ½ lengths in front of Spirit of Shanghai.

Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Spirit of Shanghai, who exited a maiden $40,000 claiming win here on June 18, finished 2 ¾ lengths in front of Empress of Lov and paid $4.40 to show.

Fractions on the Landaluce were 22.45, 45.95 and 57.66.