England's Rose rallies from seventh in stakes debut to take Swingtime

ARCADIA, Calif. - England’s Rose won for the third time in five starts this year in her stakes debut in Saturday’s $78,700 Swingtime Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

England’s Rose ($9.40) closed from seventh in a field of eight in the final quarter-mile to win by a comfortable 1 3/4 lengths over 7-2 favorite Norma Jean B., who had $1,711 more bet on her to win.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, England’s Rose was timed in 1:33.99 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 88.

The Swingtime was restricted to non-winners of a stakes worth $60,000 or more to the winner at a mile other than statebred races this year.

England’s Rose closed with a wide rally to secure the win, her second consecutive victory. A 5-year-old mare by English Channel, England’s Rose won an allowance race at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Sept. 3, her first win since a maiden special weight race here in January.

“She’s really matured and developed the poise you like to see,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “She has that nice turn of foot that is so key in turf races.”

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Norma Jean B. finished a neck in front of 4-1 Brooke, who was followed by Avenue de France, Global Brand, Nasty, Quiet Secretary, and Ippodamia’s Girl in a field of eight.

Quiet Secretary set a solid pace of 23.02 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, and 46.80 for a half-mile before fading from contention.

England’s Rose races for the partnership Mercedes Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, Scott Dilworth, Dottie and David Ingordo, and Steve Mooney. England’s Rose, purchased for $140,000 as a yearling in 2017, has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $159,440.