Photo: Hollywood Park
Wild Mia, a well-traveled Florida bred, made her first start
in California a winning one, edging Andina by a neck to capture the $75,100
Redondo Beach Stakes Sunday at Hollywood Park.
This was one of several mild upsets in the Pick 6, so there
will be a carryover of $117,268 when racing resumes Thursday. Post time is 1
p.m. The Pick 6 will begin in the third race.
Trained by Tom Proctor for Rosemount Stud Syndicate, the
4-year-old gray daughter of Wildcat Heir out of the El Sultan mare Love Mia was
ridden by David Flores as she won for the fourth time in 12 starts. The 6-1
shot paid $14, $6.60 and $4.20.
Hollywood Park was the seventh different track at which Wild
Mia has competed, joining Calder, Arlington Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs,
Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Before Sunday, her victories had come at
Calder, Arlington
and Keeneland.
Ahead of only one rival early while 19-10 favorite Tanda set
a solid pace with Miss Pleasant and Lilly Fa Pootz, the 5-2 second choice, in
close attendance, Wild Mia angled outside for room into the stretch, then
gained the advantage approaching the wire. She completed the mile on turf in 1:34.65.
The $44,580 payday pushed her earnings to $228,174.
“She’s not quick, but I had a very good break,’’ said
Flores. “They said just to get her to relax and make a run. I was just trying
to save as much ground as I could. She was on the outside, but it was OK
because I saved enough ground to get in position and not lose the position.
“She accelerated when I asked her, just as I was
expecting.’’
Making her initial start since finishing last in the Santa
Barbara Handicap April 16 at Santa Anita, Andina had to survive a stewards’
inquiry into an alleged incident near the wire. Talktoomuch, who finished
fourth, had to check nearing the wire, but the stewards ruled there would be no
change.
Ridden for the first time by Garrett Gomez, Andina paid
$6.40 and $4. Tanda, seeking her initial victory around two turns, paid $3.20 to
show.