Trainer Bob Baffert gained a stakes victory when
his Ellafitz cruised to a 4 ¾-length triumph in the $83,000 Paseana
Handicap at 1 1/16 miles while going wire-to-wire with Martin Garcia in
the saddle. She was clocked in 1:43.67.
The 5-2 second choice in a field of seven fillies and mares, the
5-year-old daughter of Tiznow recorded her second successive victory
after taking Hollywood Park’s Grade II Bayakoa Handicap by 3 ¼ lengths
on Dec. 4.
“Mr. Bob (Baffert) told me to just let her run,” said Garcia.
“She just wants to run. She doesn’t want you to take hold of her. She’s
been training great, and she’s run super in her last two races.”
“She’s been doing very well,” Baffert said. “This mare, you’ve
just got to let her roll. Her only weapon is her speed. If you try to
take her back, she’s just not the same horse. She either wins or runs
last.”
Downhill Diva, the second longest price in the lineup, ran on
for second under Brice Blanc to best Spirit Seeker and Joe Talamo by 4 ¾
lengths for the place. Vision in Gold, the 9-10 race favorite, wound up
a well-beaten sixth.
Ellafitz raised her career earnings to $277,954 from a 5-2-2
record in 13 starts for D. and E. Racing. She paid $7.40, $4.40 and
$3.60. The mutuels on Downhill Diva were $12.80 and $8.20. Spirit Seeker
paid $6.40 to show.