Santa Anita: Patience pays off for Ain't No Other in Sensational Star

Benoit & Associates

Ain't No Other, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, collects his third career stakes victory in the Sensational Star for California-breds.

ARCADIA, Calif. - There was a time earlier in his career that Ain’t No Other would have torn away from his rivals at the start of a race such as Sunday’s $100,750 Sensational Star Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

The tactic was not always successful. Sometimes, he held on to win. Sometimes, he was caught.

But with experience, and the addition a set of blinkers on Sunday, Ain’t No Other was more patient. The result was his third career stakes win in the turf sprint for California-breds.

Ridden by leading jockey Rafael Bejarano, Ain’t No Other ($11.40) closed from third in a field of eight and held off a late threat from Starspangled Heat to win the Sensational Star by three-quarters of a length. He was timed in 1:11.53 for about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

Bejarano said he felt Ain’t No Other’s speed at the start.

“He showed me a lot of speed, but I didn’t want to take the lead,” he said. “I found my position. As soon as he crossed the dirt, he gave me a big kick.”

Ain’t No Other caught pacesetter Coach Bob in the final furlong to take command. Starspangled Heat finished a nose in front of A Toast to You, who was followed by Coach Bob, Maui Mark, Cat Talk, Circa’sgoldengear, and Stoney Fleece.

Ain’t No Other gave trainer Jerry Hollendorfer his second stakes win of the weekend. He won the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes over seven furlongs on Saturday with Sahara Sky.

Ain’t No Other is owned by breeders Tom and Debra Stull’s Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. A 5-year-old gelding by Old Topper, Ain’t No Other has won 8 of 24 starts and $434,973. In 2011, Ain’t No Other won the Harry Henson Stakes at Hollywood Park and the Livermore Valley Wines Stakes at Pleasanton.