Teddy's Promise Dominates Kalookan Queen

Teddy’s Promise, a winner 363 days ago of the Grade I La Brea Stakes, was completely dominate in winning Saturday’s $75,000 Kalookan Queens Stakes for fillies and mares by 5 ¼ lengths under Victor Espinoza, getting 6 ½ furlongs on a wet-fast strip in 1:14.72.

Owned and bred in California by Ted and Judy Nichols, the 4-year-old daughter of Salt Lake sat close to an opening quarter of 22.28, took the lead at the half mile pole in 44.50, and drew off under a hand ride stopping the six furlong timer in 1:08.26 en route to victory.

The heavy favorite at 3-2, Teddy’s Promise paid $5.00, $3.40 and $2.80.

“I had a great trip,” said Espinoza. “I had a good post (five, in a six-horse field) outside. She’s got a lot of class. When she wants to run, she’s the best…when she’s inside she doesn’t always like it.”

With the winner’s share of $60,300, Teddy’s Promise hiked her bankroll to $484,981, from an overall mark of 20-7-2-1.

According to trainer Ron Ellis, Teddy’s Promise will make her next start in the Grade II, $250,000 Santa Monica Stakes on Jan. 26 at seven furlongs.

Off at 9-1, Snow Fall and Tyler Base finished 2 ¾ lengths in front of Great Hot and Alonso Quinonez. Snow Fall paid $7.40 and $4.00.

Brazilian-bred Great Hot paid $3.20 to show.