Evo Campo gets perfect trip in Possibly Perfect

ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer Paddy Gallagher found one of his horses this weekend that could stay 1 1/2 miles.

A day after Gallagher’s maiden Trojan Nation finished 10th in the Belmont Stakes, Evo Campo won the $77,090 Possibly Perfect Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita. The 4-year-old filly was not a surprise; she was third choice in the 1 1/2-mile turf race for fillies and mares.

Rafael Bejarano gave Evo Campo ($8.60) a perfect trip, alone in second behind the runaway pacesetter Chocolatier. Evo Campo collared that tiring rival on the far turn, and rolled home by 1 1/4 lengths over Hiking. The favorite Sharla Rae took up on the far turn while trying to rally inside, and was up for third.

Evo Campo, an Irish-bred daughter of Approve, was winning for the fourth time in her last seven starts. Her form going into the Possibly Perfect was solid. In her previous start in a second-level allowance, she defeated next-out Cal-bred stakes winner Bert’s Melody.

The final time for the turf race, which began on the backstretch, was 2:27.43.

The finish order, after the top three, was Energia Fribby, Exuberante, Chocolatier, and Soresca. Energia Fribby was compromised by a wide trip; Chocolatier opened up by four lengths but faded badly through the lane.

The marathon turf division for fillies and mares in Southern California continues Aug. 19 with the $75,000 CTT and TOC Handicap, a 1 3/8-mile turf race at Del Mar.

No one hit the pick six Sunday at Santa Anita; the carryover into Thursday is $68,569.