Awesome Lady upsets Monrovia

ARCADIA, Calif. - Taking advantage of a wet-fast track, Awesome Lady scored the most important win of her career in Saturday's $112,600 at Santa Anita, a race originally scheduled for turf.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Awesome Lady was always close to the pace. She rallied along the rail to engage early pacesetter Guidebook at the half-mile pole, took the lead on the turn, and pulled clear to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Baze and Awesome Lady were in control of the race for the final quarter-mile. Awesome Lady ($13.20) finished 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.77.

Beneficial Bartok, a stakes winner on turf at Turf Paradise in November, rallied along the rail through the stretch to finish second, 2 3/4 lengths in front of Allswellthatnswell. Guidebook, the 7-5 favorite, finished fourth.

The race had 13 entrants, but the field was reduced to nine starters after the late withdrawals of Chasethegold, Elusive Diva, Red Top, and Resplendency. Elusive Diva was the 8-5 morning-line favorite, while Resplendency won the 2004 Monrovia Handicap when it was transferred from turf to dirt.

Awesome Lady, 5, races for a partnership and is trained by Gary Stute. She has won 7 of 28 starts and $284,758. The Monrovia was her second stakes win and third victory of 2005.