Miss Match ran down a weary Switch in the final couple of strides to register a 45-1 upset by a head in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Stakes (gr. IT) at Santa Anita March 12.
The result, however, became secondary as the multiple grade II-winning filly Always a Princess fell near the wire. Always a Princess set a rapid pace in the 1 1/8-mile Santa Margarita and appeared exhausted in deep stretch after battling with Switch. She took a bad step, was pulled up and fell approaching the finish.
According to HRTV, Always a Princess was able to regain her feet and was removed from the course by ambulance.
Garrett Gomez rode the Argentina-bred Miss Match to victory for trainer Neil Drysdale and owner Matthew Cloros. The 6-year-old Indygo Shiner mare posted her first North American stakes win. She captured the Argentine Oaks (Arg-I) in 2008.
Read More