INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The Los Angeles County Fair race meet was less than two weeks away when trainer Gary Stute claimed Da Svedonya for $16,000 last August at Del Mar.
"The only reason I claimed her was because she had won at Fairplex," Stute said.
raced three times in 16 days at the fair, losing all three. So when the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita began in fall, expectations were lowered. Da Svedonya, owned by Don Beardsworth, Dennis Decauwer, and HorseRacing TV broadcaster Peter Lurie, was given a one-month break before she was entered a $12,500 claiming sprint.
She won. Ten days later, she ran for $20,000. She won again. And she keeps on firing. Since being claimed for $16,000 last fall, Da Svedonya has made 16 starts, earned $177,627, and runs her race nearly every time.
"She takes all the punishment I can give her and keeps coming back for more," Stute said. "She just fires - every single time."
Thursday at Hollywood Park, the equine teller machine tries for her second straight win in race 4, a second-condition allowance sprint for fillies and mares. It's the richest race on the card, with a $51,000 purse, and Da Svedonya may not win, but she should bring home a check - again.
Da Svedonya is a deep closer. Stute speculates one reason she thrives is because of her style.
"She only runs a quarter-mile, and most horses run the entire race," said Stute
Alex Solis rode Da Svedonya for the first time April 28, and guided her to a last-to-first victory, her first win at Hollywood Park in 14 starts.
Her chances Thursday, and always, depend on the pacesetters.
"If they stop, she gets them. If they don't, she gets second," Stute said.
A 6-year-old with 5 wins from 39 starts, Da Svedonya faces four rivals Thursday, including . Both have more speed than Da Svedonya, though Scarlett Memories has blown the lead in midstretch in 3 of her last 5, and She Sings has not raced since June 2005. Shout to the North and Royal B also were entered.
While the old pro Da Svedonya runs in race 4, Stute sends out a new shooter for the same owners in race 3. Kimmy Potter is a 2-year-old filly by Broken Vow who will make her debut going 4 1/2 furlongs from the advantageous rail.