Da Stoops dominates

ARCADIA, Calif. - Da Stoops ($4.60) won his second restricted race of the Santa Anita meeting, leading throughout the $250,000 .

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Da Stoops ran six furlongs in 1:08.94 and won by 7 1/2 lengths. After bobbling at the start, he led from the rail through early fractions of 21.37 and 43.56 seconds.

A California-bred, Da Stoops was never really threatened. After a brief skirmish with Dinner Magic in the opening furlong, Da Stoops pulled away to lead by three lengths entering the stretch and five lengths at the eighth pole.

Changing Weather, a Florida-bred, rallied from last in the field of eight to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Brite Manuevers, who won the California Cup Juvenile in November.

The disappointment in the field was Plagiarist, a maiden winner by 8 1/4 lengths at Hollywood Park in December. Sent off at 2-1, Plagiarist never threatened the leaders while racing wide and finished last.

Da Stoops, who is owned by a partnership and trained by Bob Baffert, has won 3 of 8 starts and $301,470. He scored his first stakes win on Dec. 28 in the colts and geldings division of the seven-furlong California Breeders' Champion Stakes.