Big City Lights shines in California Cup Sprint triumph

ARCADIA, Calif. – Big City Lights paid a mere $2.20 when he beat three rivals easily in Saturday’s $122,500 California Cup Sprint for statebreds at Santa Anita.

The restricted stakes could be a trial race for the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint in Dubai on April 5, a $2 million race at six furlongs.

“His last couple of races have been better than he’s ever been,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

Big City Lights won the Cary Grant Stakes at seven furlongs for statebreds by 8 1/2 lengths at Del Mar on Nov. 9 and won the California Cup Sprint by 7 3/4 lengths, finishing six furlongs in 1:09.46 and earning a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure.

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Ridden by Flavien Prat, a late replacement for an injured Kazushi Kimura, Big City Lights stalked early leader Smiling Beast through an opening quarter-mile in 22.13 seconds before taking the lead on the turn.

Big City Lights led by a half-length with a quarter-mile remaining before pulling away through the stretch.

Clovisconnection, the winner of two sprints at Fresno and Pleasanton in his last two starts in September and November, closed from last to finish second at 9-2.

“I thought he ran his race,” jockey William Antongeorgi said. “Big City Lights was too good.”

Smiling Beast finished third, followed by Haywood. Geezer was scratched by trainer Hector Palma on Saturday morning.

Big City Lights has won 7 of 13 starts and earned $588,420 for owner Bill Peeples.

Prat rode Big City Lights twice last year, winning an allowance race and the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes in consecutive starts.

“Once you get him into his rhythm, he can carry his speed,” Prat said.

In the second half of 2022 and twice in 2023, Big City Lights finished second to outstanding California-bred The Chosen Vron in four consecutive stakes. The Chosen Vron, the 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year and a candidate for the same honor for 2024, is currently sidelined.

“He’s a very good sprinter,” Prat said of Big City Lights. “Unfortunately, he was racing against The Chosen Vron. Today, the way he ran, I think he could have run with anyone. He ran a good race.”

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