Closing Remarks takes advantage of clear trip in California Cup Oaks

Much of grass racing is about trips, and Closing Remarks is the latest exhibit. After a nightmarish journey last time out at Del Mar, in which she finished last, she got a dream trip Saturday at Santa Anita and it resulted in a victory in the $201,000 California Cup Oaks for 3-year-old female grass runners.

Closing Remarks ($7.80) settled midpack during the early portion of the one-mile race, had a clear run at longshot Super Game coming off the final turn, and finished up well to post a one-length victory over the maiden Warren’s Candy Girl, who ran on for second for the fourth straight time. Super Game, a 53-1 shot, tired late to finish third in the field of 10.

Closing Remarks was returning to California-bred competition for the first time since a debut win sprinting against maidens Aug. 31 at Del Mar. Since then, she had run twice in open company in stakes. In her most recent start, the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante at Del Mar, Closing Remarks saved ground throughout but never found room in the stretch run. The last-place finish was an illusion and was among the reasons she was bet down to the second choice Saturday.

Carla Gaines, who trains Closing Remarks, didn’t hold the last result against jockey Umberto Rispoli. His strategy was sound, but he just had no luck. Rispoli was back aboard Saturday and more than made amends with an ideal trip.

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“We had quite a bit of confidence,” Gaines said on Santa Anita’s simulcast broadcast. “We were hoping to get a cleaner trip this time.”

Gaines had three starters in the California Cup Oaks. Sensible Cat, sent off the 2-1 favorite, finished fifth, while Westward Breeze tired to finish eighth after leading early through fractions of 22.60 seconds for the quarter and 46.96 for the half before she stopped and Super Game took over.

Closing Remarks completed one mile on firm turf in 1:35.62.

Closing Remarks, by Vronsky, was bred and is owned by John Harris’s Harris Farms Inc. She has now won twice in four starts, and her $120,000 winner’s share on Saturday brought her career bankroll to $159,500.