Barretts at Fairplex: Ondine takes Beverly Lewis on opening day

POMONA, Calif. – Odds-on favorite Ondine became a stakes winner Friday at the Los Angeles County Fair, where she won the $50,000 Beverly J. Lewis Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by a half-length over Warren’s Veneda.

Friday was opening day of the Barretts at Fairplex meet, and form held in 100-degree heat. Favorites won three of the nine races, the pick six was hit to the tune of $16,905.80 for one ticketholder, and Ondine returned $3.60 for trainer Bob Baffert.

The win was Ondine’s third from eight starts. The 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is owned by Peachtree Stable. Her time for the 6 1/2-furlong race was 1:17.53.

Martin Garcia positioned Ondine fifth of seven in a strung-out field while pacesetter Real Bright Boots screamed though a 21.04 quarter-mile.

“My filly is fast, too, but there were going faster than me,” Garcia said.

Ondine lauched her rally into the far turn, made the lead into the lane, and held off runner-up Warren’s Veneda. It was five lengths farther back to Fightin Mean Mad in third. She was followed in order by Unseen Visitor, Bares Tripper, A Drop Dead Diva, and Real Bright Boots.

The Lewis was Baffert’s 16th stakes win at Fairplex, sixth on the all-time list.

Martin Pedroza won three races opening day after going down in a spill in race 4. Edwin Maldonado and apprentice Gonzalo Nicolas also were unseated. All three returned to ride later on the card.