ARCADIA, Calif.—George Krikorian’s homebred Big Switch, a statebred stakes winner at two, heads a field of six sophomore fillies going a mile and one sixteenth in Saturday’s $150,000 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita.
The Melair is one of five statebred stakes on California Gold Rush Day that are part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.
A California-bred stakes winner in her second start, Big Switch, who will also be stretching out for the first time, rates a huge chance in what will be her fifth career start for John Sadler. By hot sire Mr. Big out of the Malibu Moon mare Two Faced Moon, Big Switch has been idle since running fifth, beaten 3 ¼ lengths in an open allowance at 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf on Feb. 25.
A filly of considerable promise, Big Switch tried the deep waters of the Grade II Santa Ynez Stakes following her win in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies three starts back on Nov. 5 at Del Mar, finishing fourth, at odds of 8-5.
With two wins from four tries, Big Switch has banked $155,544.
Nick Alexander’s homebred Rose Maddox, who has been in the money in seven out of her eight starts, comes off a second place finish as the 2-5 favorite in an open first condition allowance going six furlongs on synthetic Tapeta May 14 at Golden Gate Fields. Unbeaten in her lone start over the Santa Anita main track, a six furlong allowance versus statebreds three starts back on April 1, Rose Maddox will try two turns on dirt for the second time.
Trained by Steve Miyadi, Rose Maddox will be reunited with Kyle Frey, who guided her to consecutive wins here on April 15 (mile turf allowance) and on April 1 in the aforementioned six furlong main track allowance.
With an overall mark of 8-3-3-1 and earnings of $149,440, Rose Maddox will be making her second stakes appearance.
THE $150,000 MELAIR STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 8 of 9 Approximate post time 4:30 p.m. PT
- Rose Maddox—Kyle Frey–122
- Big Switch—Juan Hernandez—120
- Everlys Girl—Umberto Rispoli—120
- Roman Empress—Ryan Curatolo—120
- It’s Simple—Mario Gutierrez—120
- Youteyourhonor—Tyler Baze–122
First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m.
Santa Anita Park Press Release
Photo: Benoit Photo
