Man O Rose rolls in California Cup Sprint, Benoit Photo
Santa Anita Park Press
ARCADIA, CA —Man O Rose broke in front under Edwin Maldonado and was never challenged on his way to an easy nine-length win in Saturday’s $125,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint for California-breds going six furlongs at Santa Anita.
Trained by Jeff Mullins, Man O Rose (4-5) set fractions of 21.85, 44.10 and 56.12 before crossing the wire in a sharp 1:08.68. Longshot Drop Um (29-1) ran on to be second under Kyle Frey for trainer Felix Rondan. Book Smart (2-1) checked in third followed by second choice Speedy Wilson (2-1).
Man O Rose’s task in the Sprint was made much easier Saturday morning when graded stakes winner Big City Lights was scratched by Richard Mandella. With no show wagering, Man O Rose paid $3.60 and $2.80 for the popular win. Drop Um returned $8.00.
Man O Rose, a 6-year-old gelding by Stanford, has now won four consecutive stakes for statebreds and five overall for owner-breeder B & B Zietz Stables Inc. He previously won the The Chosen Vron at seven furlongs on dirt at Del Mar in November, the California Flag Handicap on the hillside turf course in October and the E.B. Johnston at one mile on dirt for the second straight year at Los Alamitos in September. Man O Rose is now 18: 11-3-0 with more than $570,000 in earnings.
