Rose Maddox nosed the competition under Flavien Prat. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Race Is Part Of The Lucrative CTBA-Sponsored Golden State Series
Mike Willman/Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.—Named for a Country Western star from years gone by, Nick Alexander’s homebred Rose Maddox proved extra game late in taking Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint by a nose under Flavien Prat. Trained by Steve Miyadi, the 5-year-old mare by Grazen got about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:13.45.
The Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint presented by John Deere is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for registered California-bred or sired horses.
Mid-pack about six lengths off of eventual second place finisher Chancery Way a half mile out, Rose Maddox slid up the rail to the dirt crossing, engaged Chancery Way leaving the quarter pole and proved best in a thrilling three-way photo on the money.
A two-length winner of the California Distaff Handicap down the hill two starts back, she was and even fourth, beaten 2 ¾ lengths versus open company down the hill in the Senator Ken Maddy on Nov. 3.
Off today as the 6-5 favorite in a field of eight older fillies and mares, she paid $4.40, $2.80 and $2.10.
Out of the Unusual Heat mare Heat the Rocks, she picked up her fourth career stakes win and her seventh victory from 20 overall starts. With the winner’s share of $90,000, she increased her earnings to $515,782.
Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Chancery Way ran a big race in defeat, holding off a fast finishing Stay and Scam by a nose for second. Off at 6-1, Chancery Way paid $5.80 and $2.80.
With Mario Gutierrez up, Stay and Scam paid $2.20 to show while finishing a half-length in front of Chismosa.
Fractions on the race were 22.07, 44.82 and 1:07.02.
$150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint Stakes Quotes
Jockey Quotes
Flavien Prat, Rose Maddox, Winner: “She’s a really nice filly. I hadn’t been on her before and they gave me a free hand today. She was traveling along, and we settled just behind the speed. The hole opened for us as we turned for home and she made a good run to the wire.”
Trainer Quotes
Steve Miyadi, Rose Maddox, Winner: “We’ve always liked her and she showed up again today. As good as she’s run on turf, I actually think she‘s better on dirt. We’re going to point to the Spring Fever here (February 18) at six furlongs on dirt next time.”
Owner Quotes
Nick Alexander, Rose Maddox, Winner: “She fires every time. Her dam (Heat the Rocks) is by Unusual Heat and her sire is Grazen…so you’ve got the queen and the king right on top. She doesn’t have the greatest personality, but she loves to run.
“Steve has a very unusual way of working his horses, if you see anything below 104 you get nervous. That is just his style, but it works.
“Flavien (Prat) is just the greatest, I love that guy. We are two for two today and we’ve got a good shot tomorrow. He never makes a mistake, he always finds a hole, he always finds the shortest way home and once he gets the league, you can never go by him.”
