Annihilation still overachieving

ARCADIA, Calif. - Annihilation's stretch kick has proven successful in turf sprints in Louisiana and California this year.

After winning the A.B. Leggio Memorial Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Fair Grounds in January, Annihilation won her first stakes on her home circuit in Southern California in Sunday's at Santa Anita.

The win affirmed trainer Dan Hendricks's impressions from last spring that Annihilation would thrive on turf. She lost her first five starts, all on the main track.

"I thought she could move up on the turf," Hendricks said. "I thought she could be a good filly. She's a little thing that can go when you ask her."

Ridden by Alex Solis, Annihilation ($14.80) ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:12.50, outfinishing 2-1 favorite Czechers. Bella Rosa, a 41-1 outsider, finished third in the field of 11. Dreamt, a 10-1 chance, was stopped on the rail when she began moving closer to the leaders in the stretch.

Solis avoided trouble by keeping Annihilation wide. He had the 4-year-old filly three wide entering the stretch and made up 4 3/4 lengths in the final furlong to win by a neck.

"She's gone beyond expectations now," Hendricks said.

Annihilation has won 5 of 13 starts and $217,270. Hendricks said the Clocker's Corner Handicap was a prep for the $100,000 Las Cienegas Handicap on the hillside turf course on April 11.