Alphabet Kisses takes Grade 1 La Brea at 20-1

ARCADIA, Calif. - Alphabet Kisses, the third longest shot in a field of 10, scored the biggest win of her brief career in Monday's $250,000 at Santa Anita.

The victory was not easy for the California-bred filly. Alphabet Kisses ($42.20) led for the first quarter-mile in 22.28 seconds, trailed Elusive Diva by a head after a half-mile in 44.58 seconds, but retook the lead and won by a length.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Alphabet Kisses finished seven furlongs in 1:21.38. The victory in the Grade 1 La Brea marked the graded stakes debut of Alphabet Kisses.

Bending Strings, who won graded stakes at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Pimlico earlier this year, finished second, two lengths in front of Elusive Diva.

Bending Strings was sent off as the 8-5 favorite, inheriting the role from Yearly Report, who was scratched on Sunday after apparently striking herself on the ankle, according to trainer Bob Baffert.

Alphabet Kisses has won 5 of 9 starts and $326,910 for Harris Farms and trainer Marty Jones. Earlier this year, she won the Magali Farms allowance at Hollywood Park. At Del Mar, she finished second in the Fleet Treat Stakes and third in the Torrey Pines Stakes.

*Memorette won her first stakes in Monday's $140,875 California Breeders' Champion Stakes for 2-year-old state-bred fillies.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Memorette rallied from ninth in the field of 11 to win by 1 1-2 lengths over 32-1 Lady Bertrando. Kohar finished third.

Memorette finished seven furlongs in 1:22.66. A winner of 2 of 6 starts and $158,325, Memorette races for Betty Currin and is trained by her husband, Bill.