Switch wins Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita
January 30, 2011ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Overwhelming favorite Switch romped to a 31/2-length victory Sunday in the $250,000 Santa Monica Stakes for her second Grade 1 win of the young Santa Anita season.
The 4-year-old filly ridden by Joel Rosario was barely challenged by the other five older females in the field, catching a pair of early leaders on the turn and leading by as many as four lengths in the stretch as she covered seven furlongs in 1:20.70.
"I didn't think it would set up that easy," Rosario said. "She's a nice horse and she's improving more and more every day."
The winner paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Gilded Gem was second and returned $4.80 and $3.40. Sweet August Moon paid $4 to show.
Switch has won five times in 12 starts for earnings of $782,600 and was coming off a victory in Santa Anita's opening day La Brea Stakes.
Trainer John Sadler thinks after the two Grade 1 wins she can become the nation's top older female.
"I thought we'd have a chance to be leader of the division this year, with Zenyatta retiring," Sadler said in the winner's circle. "Switch is very, very good, as good as anything out there."