ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2012)—Acting upon orders from trainer Peter Miller, Garrett Gomez liked what he saw at the break and sent Guidopanzini to the front and never looked back, winning Santa Anita’s $50,000 allowance feature on Friday by 3 ¼ lengths, getting the 1 1/16 mile distance in 1:43.39.
Owned by the Lanni Family Trust, Guidopanzini, off at odds of 8-1, set fractions of 24.14, 48.41, 1:12.38 and 1:36.94. A 3-year-old Florida-bred gelding by Giacomo, Guidopanzini paid $19.40, $7.80 and $4.60.
With the winner’s share of $30,000, Guidopanzini boosted his bankroll to $73,930 from an overall mark of 9-2-2-0.
When asked what might be next for his horse, Miller said that he’d look for a second-condition allowance race at the Betfair Hollywood Park Fall Meet, which opens Nov. 8.
The race, run as the sixth on an eight-race card, was named for the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association, which was represented by Stanley Cup Champion L.A. Kings announcer Bob Miller and his wife, Carol.
“I’ve got a lot more time on my hands now,” quipped Miller when interviewed following the race on HRTV. (The NHL and the players’ union are currently in the midst of a labor dispute). “I kept my streak alive in this race. I haven’t picked a winner all day long.”
Liberty Cap, ridden by Joe Talamo, sat second early but could never threaten the winner, finishing second, 3 ½ lengths clear of 2-1 favorite Planet Sunshine and Victor Espinoza.
Liberty Cap paid $5.00 and $3.60.
Planet Sunshine, who was sixth early in the eight-horse field, had an uneventful trip and paid $2.20 to show.
The Grade III, $100,000 Autumn Miss Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf, highlights a nine-race card at Santa Anita on Saturday. First post time is 1 p.m.