Kopion takes the Santa Ynez (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Mike Willman/Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.— Heavily favored following a big first-out maiden win, Richard Mandella’s Kopion overcame a touch of greenness early to register an impressive 5 ¾ length score in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Flavien Prat, the 3-year-old daughter of Omaha Beach got seven furlongs in 1:23.89.
Breaking sharply from the rail, Kopion’s primary opposition, Tambo, stumbled leaving the gate to her immediate outside and Kopion made an easy lead but shied a bit as the field came out of the chute to join up with the main track oval.
With Prat in firm control however, Kopion recovered quickly and had a 1 ½ length advantage on Don’t Bring Crazy three furlongs out and increased her lead to 2 ½ lengths at the quarter pole. Hand-ridden to the wire, Kopion was never threatened and galloped out powerfully.
Off at 1-5 in her 6 ½ furlong debut on Nov. 26 at Del Mar, Kopion was again off at 1-5 versus three rival sophomore fillies today and paid $2.40 and $2.10 with no show wagering.
A $270,000 Keeneland September Yearling sale graduate, Kopion, who is owned by Spendthrift Farm and is out of the Victory Gallop mare Galloping Ami, picked up $60,000 for the win, increasing her bankroll to $96,600.
The longest shot in the field with Juan Hernandez up at 16-1, Don’t Bring Crazy sat second the entire trip and paid $4.60 to place while finishing 4 ¾ lengths in front of an unlucky Tambo.
Fractions on the race were 23.70, 46.55 and 1:10.87.
GRADE, III $100,000 SANTA YNEZ STAKES QUOTES
JOCKEY QUOTES
FLAVIEN PRAT, KOPION, WINNER: “Her trip was good. She was a bit sharper today but, she jumped well out of there and she looked around a bit when she was on the lead. Besides that she did everything perfect. It’s always special when I ride for Mr. Mandella.”
TRAINER QUOTES
RICHARD MANDELLA, KOPION, WINNER: “It looked like when she went out to the track she settled down, she warmed up nice, and went to the gate nice. She left there running and she kind of gave us that feeling when we were in the paddock. She showed her class. “I love (Omaha Beach) he was such a class horse, a good horse and this filly has just been a star ever since she came back. The only time she didn’t work good, was with Tamara, I can’t explain it but she just didn’t want any part of it.”
NOTES: The winning owner is Spendthrift Farm, LLC.
