ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Regally Ready won the $75,000 Big Bear Stakes for 3-year-olds by a half-length on Thursday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Regally Ready ran a mile in 1:35.65 and paid $5.60, $3.60 and $3 as the 9-5 favorite.
Stryker Phd returned $6.20 and $4, while Safety Belt was another head back in third and paid $11 to show as the longest shot in the field of eight at 49-1.
Regally Ready was sixth around the clubhouse turn before pouncing on pacesetter Blueskiesnrainbows three furlongs from the wire.
“This is such a cool horse,” said Napravnik, who has won all five times she’s ridden Regally Ready. “He’s done it every different way for me. I just sat on him and he grabbed a hold of me at the half-mile pole and I had to say, ‘Easy buddy, we’re not ready yet.’ I had a ton of horse.”
The victory, worth $47,700, increased Regally Ready’s career earnings to $1,654,506, with 16 wins in 37 starts. It was the fourth stakes win of the year for the 7-year-old gelding. He is owned by Santa Anita president Tom Ludt, who races as Vinery Stables.
“This is just an amazing horse,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “He’s having a great year and horses like this just make you love racing.”
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