ARCADIA, Calif. — An impressive one mile turf stakes winner in open company Sept. 7, California-bred Big Fish bids for his third consecutive win as he heads a field of seven juveniles going one mile in Sunday’s $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita.
Trained by David Hofmans and owned by Pete and Evelyn Parrella’s Legacy Ranch, Big Fish’s primary opposition would appear to be Bob Baffert’s impressive first-out maiden winner Tarantino and Peter Miller’s Irish-bred Ebeko, who was second, beaten a length by Big Fish in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes on Sept. 7.
BIG FISH
Owner: Legacy Ranch, Inc.
Trainer: David Hofmans
An impressive one mile turf maiden winner versus statebreds two starts back on Aug. 21, Big Fish, who is by the Dynaformer stallion Mr. Big, appeared clearly best when ridden for the first time by Victor Espinoza on Sept. 7, winning by one length at odds of 9-2. With Espinoza back in the saddle, Big Fish bids for his second consecutive stakes win and his third straight overall in what will be his fifth career start.
TARANTINO
Owner: SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Siena Farm, LLC & Robert Masterson
Trainer: Bob Baffert
A $610,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, this Pioneerof the Nile colt was dismissed at 6-1 in a field of 10 on Sept. 7, but he responded with an impressive first-out maiden score going one mile on turf. A beautiful mover, he leveled nicely late and appeared much best as he won by one length and galloped out strong. He’ll be ridden back by Tiago Pereira and should get considerable pari-mutuel attention.
EBEKO
Owner: Altimira Racing Stable, CYBT & Michael Nentwig
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last early in a field of 10, this Irish-bred finished very well to be second, beaten one length by Big Fish in what was his U.S. debut, the Del Mar Juvenile Turf at one mile on Sept. 7. A seven furlong turf winner in his native Ireland two starts back on July 16, Ebeko, who will be making his fifth career start, rates a big chance with Ricky Gonzalez back aboard.
The $100,000 Zuma Beach
Race 4 of 10. Approximate post time 2 p.m. PT
1. Tarantino—Tiago Pereira—120
2. Ingest—Mario Gutierrez—120
3. Caisson—Flavien Prat—120
4. Cotopaxi—Abel Cedillo—118
5. Ebeko—Ricardo Gonzalez—118
6. Big Fish—Victor Espinoza—122
7. Dennis Celery—Juan Hernandez–120
Santa Anita Entries for Sunday, October 4
First post time for a 10-race card on Sunday is at 12:30 p.m. Santa Anita’s races can be viewed live and free of charge at santaanita.com.
Press Release
Photo: Big Fish. Credit: Benoit Photos
