Cash Call notches stakes-debut victory with Summertime Oaks
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Cash Call, who cost plenty of cash at auction in 2024, extended her winning streak to three races with a smart victory in her stakes debut in Saturday’s Grade 3 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Cash Call ($3) stalked stablemate and pacesetter Howin to the top of the stretch. Cash Call briefly engaged Howin before taking the lead with more than a furlong remaining. Cash Call won by three-quarters of a length over 9-2 Howin.
The first two finishers are trained by Bob Baffert.
Cash Call ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.62 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89.
The $100,000 Summertime Oaks was Cash Call’s first start beyond six furlongs.
Hernandez has ridden Cash Call in all five of her starts. Last year, Cash Call finished second and third in maiden races in September and October.
“At the barn they’ve always liked this filly,” Hernandez told Santa Anita publicity.
“I think she just wasn’t ready in her first couple of races, but now that’s she a little older, she’s getting better.
“I felt underneath me in her last couple races that she wanted to go long.
“This filly was ready. She showed a lot of heart and talent today. She broke sharp. I was in a good spot. She was happy on the outside. She relaxed beautifully and was traveling so well. She was in a good rhythm just waiting for me to shake the reins and when I did, she picked it up and hit the wire first.”
Howin, third in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles in her last start in March, finished four lengths clear of 5-2 Our Moonlight, who had her stakes debut in the Summertime Oaks.
The remaining order of finish was Allihies and Sea Runner.
Thought Process, supplemented to the race for $2,000 when entries were taken on Monday, was scratched, as was the Baffert-trained Silent Law, who was second in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks on April 5.
Earlier this year, Cash Call won twice at six furlongs – a maiden race on April 25 and an allowance race by five lengths on May 18.
By McKinzie, Cash Call has won 3 of 5 starts and earned $154,080. Owned by CSLR Racing Partners, LLC, Cash Call was purchased for $600,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale 2-year-olds in training in Florida in April 2024.
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