Chitu wins Damascus in return

ARCADIA, Calif. – Chitu, making his first start since finishing ninth in the May 3 Kentucky Derby, returned in sharp form to lead every step of the $100,000 Damascus Stakes, the final race leading into the four-race Breeders’ Cup program Friday at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Joel Rosario and trained by Bob Baffert, Chitu returned $9.20 as second choice in a field of 3-year-olds and upward after finishing seven furlongs in 1:21.66 over a fast track. Bahamian Squall was second and Unbridled’s Note was third.

Owned by the Tanma Corporation of Susan Chu, Chitu now has won four of six career starts. His lone prior stakes victory came in his final Kentucky Derby prep, the Grade 3 Sunland Derby in March.

Baffert had two other starters in the Damascus, Midnight Hawk and Declassify, but both faded to finish off the board.

The $2 exacta (3-11) paid $54.60, the $1 trifecta (3-11-12) returned $264.90, and the 10-cent superfecta (3-11-12-4) was worth $621.99.

My Fiona rallies on rail

Two races earlier, a patient rail ride by Rafael Bejarano allowed My Fiona ($4.60) to stride home late and win the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies for California-breds.

Trained by Walther Solis, My Fiona won her second restricted stakes this year, following an opening-day score at Del Mar in July. She finished the seven-furlong distance in 1:23.16.

Princess Bertrando, a 42-1 shot, finished second, a length behind the winner, while pace-setting Stormy Adieu settled for third.

The $2 exacta (4-8) paid $126, the $1 trifecta (4-8-1) returned $302.50, and the 10-cent superfecta (4-8-1-9) was worth $112.74.