Amaranth comes through as longshot in Desert Stormer

ARCADIA, Calif. – Amaranth won her 2015 debut in a 43-1 upset in Sunday’s $82,000 Desert Stormer Stakes at Santa Anita, the first time she was ridden in a race by jockey William Antongeorgi.

For the last month, Antongeorgi has been preparing for the Desert Stormer by working Amaranth at Golden Gate Fields. Antongeorgi knew he would have the mount on Amaranth, replacing Dennis Carr, who suffered a career-ending head injury in a starting gate accident in April.

“I’ve worked her the last four or five times,” Antongeorgi said. “She’s a quirky filly, a speedball, and you have to get along with her.”

The experience helped in the six-furlong Desert Stormer. Antongeorgi urged Amaranth to the lead from the start. Amaranth led by at least a length through early fractions of 21.38 seconds for a quarter-mile and 44.28 for a half-mile. She led by two lengths in the stretch and won by 1 1/4 lengths over the 9-1 Wasted at Midnight. Sam’s Sister, the 7-10 favorite, closed from ninth in a field of 11 to finish third.

Ramona’s Wildcat was fourth, followed by Living the Life, Harlington’s Rose, Tesalina, Cast in Silver, Mechaya, Big Break, and Winning Vision.

Amaranth won the third stakes of her career in the Desert Stormer. She won Bet America Oaks at the Oak Tree at Pleasanton meeting at the Alameda County Fair in June 2014 and the Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes here last November on the undercard of the Saturday Breeders’ Cup program.

Trainer O.J. Jauregui said the key for Amaranth is to use her pace.

“She’s tough when she gets the lead,” he said.

Amaranth ($89.40) ran six furlongs in 1:09.42. Owned by Lindsay LaRoche, Amaranth has won 5 of 11 starts and earned $227,370. The Desert Stormer was her first start since a last-place finish in a field of nine 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes here last December.

Jauregui said Amaranth will be pointed for the $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs July 11. The trainer said he has been in contact with Carr, who is recovering at his home in New York from the head injury.