In his first-ever try going two turns on grass, the Anthony Saavedra-trained Grinning Tiger went to the front and never looked back, winning Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes by 1 ¾ lengths at odds of 90-1. Ridden by Heriberto Figueroa, the 5-year-old Oregon-bred gelding by Smiling Tiger got a flat mile on turf in 1:35.75.
Fitted with blinkers in his last three starts, Grinning Tiger was most recently sixth going 5 ½ furlongs on turf versus statebreds in the 5 ½ furlong Sensational Star Stakes here on March 22.
“I really did think we could get it done,” said an elated Saavedra. “He shuts off (relaxes) so easy, he’s not a runoff. He will just bow that head and do whatever we want him to do. We were dying to try two turns…We were going to scratch him at the last minute, but we all came together and said he needs to run.”
In his 27th career start, Grinning Tiger notched his first stakes win, returning $186.00, $48.00 and $19.60.
Owned by Tyree J. Wolesensky, Grinning Tiger was bred in Oregon by Patrick Cosgrove and is out of the Pioneering mare Karlee’s Kitten. With the win, he improves is overall race record to 27-8-4-1 and with the winner’s share of $60,000, increased his earnings to $209,801.
“I tried to let him relax, he’s very hyper,” said Figueroa. “You have to keep it quiet and talk to him really nice and easy. He relaxed pretty good today.”
Lieutenant Dan, who was stretching out off of two consecutive sprints from the far outside, was able to save ground while third around the Club House turn and ran a big second, finishing a half length in front of Brandothebartender. Off as the second choice in a field of eight California-bred three and up at 3-1, Lieutenant Dan paid $5.00 and $4.20.
Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Brandothebartender was mid-pack early and picked up tiring horses for third money, finishing 1 ¾ lengths in front of King Abner. Off at 26-1, Brandothebartender paid $8.00 to show.
Fractions on the race, all set by the winner, were 23.46, 47.73, 1:12.11 and 1:23.94.
Named for Mrs. Connie M. Ring’s homebred California Champion Horse of 1977, the Crystal Water, sponsored by the CTBA, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series for California-bred or sired horses.
Santa Anita Press/Benoit Photo
