Anna's Bandit proves best in Timonium Distaff

Coming into the $75,000 Timonium Distaff on Saturday, Anna’s Bandit had five stakes wins. Her opponents zero.

But when 9-2 second choice Past Perfect got the jump on Anna’s Bandit and opened up a sizable lead on the second turn of the 6 1/2-furlong race for Maryland-bred or –sired fillies and mares, things did not look promising for the 1-5 favorite.

Anna’s Bandit showed her class, though, reeling in Past Perfect in the stretch and edging away late for a one-length victory. The win was her third in a Maryland-restricted race to go along with the 2018 and 2019 Conniver Stakes at Laurel Park. Anna’s Bandit also has three West Virginia-bred stakes wins at Charles Town. Anna’s Bandit is eligible for Maryland-restricted company because her sire, Great Notion, stands in Maryland.

Anna’s Bandit was in tight quarters between horses passing the grandstand the first time over the five-furlong Timonium track. She ended up along the inside in the second flight on the backstretch as Truly Hot set the pace while pressed from the outside by Past Perfect.

On the far turn, Past Perfect made a sharp move to the lead before jockey Xavier Perez could get Anna’s Bandit rolling. As Anna’s Bandit crossed the finish line, Perez appeared to turn toward jockey Christian Hiraldo on Past Perfect, do a whip wave, and yell something. Past Perfect may have played a role in tightening things up for Anna’s Bandit early in the race.

Anna’s Bandit, who was bred by trainer Jerry Robb and races for his No Guts No Glory Farm, is now 12 for 28 in her career with close to $500,000 in earnings.

“I thought we’d be on the lead the whole race, so I was holding my breath the whole time,” Robb said.

Anna’s Bandit paid $2.60, $2.10, and $2.10 in the six-horse Distaff and was timed in 1:17.69. Phantom Shot finished third, 6 1/4 lengths behind Past Perfect.

There are stakes races coming up for Anna’s Bandit at Charles Town. Robb also indicated that Anna’s Bandit would be pointed to Maryland Million Day, where the stakes are restricted to Maryland-sired runners.

Jockey Ashley Castrenze on Belial, who finished last, lodged an objection against jockey Katie Davis and Sarah’s Treasure, who finished fourth, for interference but it was not allowed.