Barretts at Fairplex: Miss Scatalicious delivers as favorite in Phil Shepherd Stakes

POMONA, Calif. – Miss Scatalicious was not a surprise Friday at the Los Angeles County Fair.

One month after posting a 42-1 upset at Del Mar, Miss Scatalicious raced gate to wire as the even-money favorite in the $50,000 Phil D. Shepherd Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Barretts at Fairplex.

Miss Scatalicious, a daughter of Scat Daddy trained by Arizona-based Molly Pearson, never looked like a loser.

Jockey Saul Arias put her on the lead with a fast 22.10-second opening quarter-mile, she relaxed on the backstretch to complete the opening half-mile in 46.11, and coasted home in 1:23.69 for seven furlongs.

“This filly has a lot of speed, and she looked very comfortable,” Pearson said.

Be Proud finished second, well clear of Santa Lucia. Elegant Trick and Appearance completed the order of finish. Love Smitten and Take One scratched.

Craig Jones owns Miss Scatalicious, who was purchased for $14,000 at the 2012 Keeneland yearling sale.

“This is our first real good horse,“ Jones said.

It was his second stakes winner. He owned stakes winner Rockin Zola, a Turf Paradise stakes winner in 2009.