Concord Point Filly Goes Two-for-Two in Santa Anita's Anoakia

ANOAKIA S., $71,500, SA, 10-23, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.46, ft.
1–#AMERICAN GAL, 118, f, 2, Concord Point–American Story
(GSP, $189,200), by Ghostzapper. O/B-Kaleem Shah, Inc. (KY);
T-Bob Baffert; J-Rafael Bejarano. $42,900. Lifetime Record:
2-2-0-0, $80,700.
2–Woot Woot, 118, f, 2, Awesome of Course–Mitasunke, by
Closing Argument. ($10,000 2yo '16 OBSAPR). O-Altamira
Racing Stable; B-Phil & Karen Matthews (FL); T-Peter Miller.
$14,300.
3–Bernina Star, 121, f, 2, Harlan's Holiday–Date to Remember,
by Bernardini. ($300,000 Ylg '15 KEESEP). O-D P Racing;
B-Siena Farms LLC (KY); T-James M. Cassidy. $8,580.
Margins: 6HF, HF, 1. Odds: 0.10, 7.10, 6.50.[bullet ad=”equix-optimatch”][bullet ad=”taylor-made-tm-for-you”]Also Ran: Velvet Jones, Stormin' Promise.

American Gal followed up a good-looking debut win with a professional score as a prohibitive favorite in the Anoakia S. at Santa Anita. Bet down to 7-5 late in her unveiling Aug. 14 at Del Mar, the Kaleem Shah homebred dueled for the lead and kicked away in the lane to score by 2 1/4 lengths with an 82 Beyer. Crushed down to 1-10 for this stakes debut, the bay was off about a length slowly, but sat a close-up third behind dueling leaders Woot Woot (Awesome of Course) and maiden Bernina Star (Harlan's Holiday) past a :21.99 quarter. Sidling up to that pair nearing the top of the lane, American Gal easily took charge after a half in :45.21 and drew clear in the lane to win off without a challenge. Woot Woot narrowly beat out her pace companion for second money.

The winner's dam is a half to 2013 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen victor Reynaldothewizard and MGISW Seventh Street (Street Cry {Ire}). She has since produced full siblings to the victress in yearling colt American All Star and weanling filly America's Starlet before being covered by Bayern this term.

“She surprised me today,” said winning rider Rafael Bejarano. “I thought she would show more speed away from the gate, more than last time. She finished better today than in her last race. Last time, she was head and head, but she showed more finish today, more kick.”

Trainer Bob Baffert added: “It's crazy, I think she blew a shoe leaving there, I want to see how her foot is.” Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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