ARCADIA, Calif. — Heavily favored Tony Ann set sail for home three furlongs out and held off longshot Hogans Holiday at the wire to take Friday’s $72,000 Santa Anita allowance feature by a neck. Ridden to victory for the third consecutive time by Umberto Rispoli, Tony Ann, who is conditioned by Phil D’Amato, got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:47.91.
On the lead throughout and leading by a measured length over longshot Sassyverb heading into the far turn, Tony Ann could wait no longer, opening up by 2 ½ lengths at the top of the stretch en route to her second consecutive win at the distance.
“She’s steadily improving,” said D’Amato, who moved into second place in the trainer standings with his 10th win, two behind Bob Baffert. “She just kind of does as much as she needs to do. She tends to wait a little bit on company, but the time was good. It was a good experience and maybe we’ll wait for a little stake.”
With her most recent start coming in a first condition allowance at Del Mar Nov. 28, Tony Ann, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Cairo Prince, out of the In Excess mare Never Ever, was off at 3-5 in a field of six older fillies and mares and paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10.
Owned by A Venneri Racing, Inc. and Anthony Fanticola, Tony Ann picked up $43,200 for the win, increasing her earnings to $138,720 while improving her overall mark to 5-3-0-2.
Ridden by Jessica Pyfer, Hogans Holiday, next to last while four-deep turning for home, just missed in a big effort. Trained by Robert Falcone, Jr., Hogans Holiday, who made her last start at Monmouth Park on Sept. 25, was off at 22-1 and paid $9.00 and $4.00.
Last heading to the five sixteenths pole, Carpe Vinum unleashed a nice turn of foot while saving ground and was beaten 1 ¼ lengths for the place. Ridden by Flavien Prat, she was the second choice at 5-2 and paid $2.40 to show.
Fractions on the race were 23.17, 47.77, 1:11.49 and 1:35.40.
Racing resumes with first post time for nine-race card on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Santa Anita Press Release
Photo: Tony Ann/Benoit Photo
