American Gal romps in Anoakia, but BC Juvenile Fillies spot not certain

ARCADIA, Calif. - American Gal may have earned a pre-entry for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies with an easy win in Sunday’s $71,500 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Trainer Bob Baffert said after the race that American Gal’s status for the BC Juvenile Fillies will be considered before Monday’s pre-entry deadline. He stopped well short of saying American Gal would start in the BC Juvenile Fillies at 1 1/16 miles here Nov. 5, expressing concern that the filly lost a shoe in Sunday's six-furlong race.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, American Gal ($2.20) closed from third in a field of five to win the Anoakia Stakes by 6 1/2 lengths. American Gal was timed in 1:10.46.

“She can go farther than that,” Baffert said. “We have a couple of options. We can go crazy or just wait. We’ll see how the foot is.”

Baffert said American Gal lost the shoe at the start.

“Other than that, she was smooth,” he said.

Woot Woot, a 7-1 shot who contributed to a fast pace of 21.99 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.21 for a half-mile, held second, a half-length in front of 6-1 Bernina Star. Velvet Jones was fourth, followed by Stormin’ Pleasure.

American Gal is owned by breeder Kaleem Shah. By Concord Point, American Gal is unbeaten in two starts, having won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs by 2 1/4 lengths at Del Mar on Aug. 14.

American Gal, who has earned $80,700, was considered for the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 3, but was held out of the race because of an illness.

American Gal was a massive favorite in the show pool Sunday, attracting $315,450 of the $345,356 bet. There was a minus show pool of $63,891 as a result.