Evita Argentina beats boys in San Vicente

ARCADIA, Calif. - Evita Argentina won her first start against males, and the most prestigious race of her career, in Monday's $150,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita.

The Grade 2 San Vicente was the third career stakes win for Evita Argentina. All three have been the same kind of races - sprints between 6 1/2 and seven furlongs.

In the San Vicente, Evita Argentina closed from last in a field of 10 to win by a length. Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Evita Argentina ($6.60) ran seven furlongs in 1:24.30.

"She's a late-running sprinter," Gomez said. "It was right in her wheelhouse. I wasn't too worried."

Leedstheway, who was near the front early, finished second in his stakes debut and third career start. Gato Go Win, also near the front early, finished third. Leedstheway and Gato Go Win are trained by Jeff Mullins.

Evita Argentina has won 4 of 7 starts and $324,900. Owned by Halo Farms and Three Sisters Thoroughbreds and trained by John Sadler, Evita Argentina won the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar last August and the Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood Park last November.

In her first start of 2009, she was second to stablemate Alpha Kitten in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Jan. 17.