Race is part of CTBA’s Lucrative Golden State Series for Cal-bred or sired horses
ARCADIA, Calif.—KMN Racing’s homebred I’m So Anna heads a field of eight California-bred or sired fillies in Saturday’s $150,000 Melair Stakes, to be contested at a mile and one sixteenth over Santa Anita’s main track.
The Doug O’Neill-trained Mucha Woman, most recently second as the 9-5 favorite in a one mile allowance, would also appear to have a big look in the Melair.
The Melair, named for the Millard & Rous homebred multiple stakes winning daughter of Debonaire Roger, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series. Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series if for eligible California-bred or sired horses.
Trained by Golden Gate Fields-based Steve Sherman, I’m So Anna comes off an impressive gate to wire score versus statebreds in the one mile Campanile Stakes at Golden Gate April 25, a race she controlled throughout and won by 2 ½ lengths as the 6-5 favorite versus eight rivals. Ridden by GGF leader Kyle Frey, she’ll be handled by Santa Anita leader Flavien Prat in the Melair.
By Fast Anna out of the Jet West mare So So Fast, I’m So Anna seeks her third stakes win on Saturday and brings an overall mark of 10-3-2-2, with earnings of $171,990.
An allowance winner in her first start off a $20,000 claim six starts back on Feb. 27, Mucha Woman will be making her seventh start of the meet for O’Neill on Saturday. With Juan Hernandez riding back, she’s a good fit in a race that appears wide-open underneath I’m So Anna.
Owned by GNO Racing, Club, Omar Aldabbagh, William Branch and Steve Rothblum, Much Woman, who is by Empire Way, out of the Flower Alley mare Black Bird Rock, will be making her third stakes appearance. With an overall mark of 14-3-3-1, she has earnings of $109,500.
THE $150,000 MELAIR STAKES Race 10 of 11 Approximate post time 5:30 p.m. PT
1. Pawnee—Mike Smith–120
2. Mucha Woman—Juan Hernandez—120
3. Fi Fi Pharoah—Umberto Rispoli—120
4. Smoothlikebuttah—Abel Cedillo–120
5. I’m So Anna—Flavien Prat—124
6. Eddie’s New Dream—Mario Gutierrez—120
7. Misty Cat—Emily Ellingwood—120
8. Omg It’s Jessica—Jessica Pyfer–120
First post time for an 11-race card that will also include three other stakes, is at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
Santa Anita Press Release
Photo of Santa Anita by Benoit
