Former maiden claimer Iotapa wins first Grade 1 with Vanity Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – It’s hard to believe that Iotapa was once a maiden claimer.

On Saturday, the 4-year-old filly won the first Grade 1 race of her career in the $300,250 Vanity Stakes at Santa Anita. She was ridden by Joe Talamo, who swept the day’s two Grade 1 stakes. Talamo won the preceding race, the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile, aboard Obviously, the favorite.

Iotapa was the 9-2 third choice but was in command throughout. She led by a half-length after a quarter-mile in 22.76 seconds and expanded her lead through the race, holding an advantage of 3 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining. None of the five other fillies and mares in the field offered a threat late, allowing Iotapa to pull clear to win by 10 1/4 lengths.

Talamo and trainer John Sadler decided before the race to try for the lead with Iotapa, who drew the rail.

“John said to try to go to the front,” Talamo said. “When you’re on the rail, you have to go or take back.”

Talamo said his confidence grew on the final turn when Iotapa was clear and set a six-furlong fraction of 1:10.52.

“She was able to get a breather,” he said.

Iotapa ($11.20) ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.64.

Sadler was concerned about the pace but liked the way that Iotapa was moving midway through the Vanity.

“I thought she was going a little fast,” he said. “She got into a rhythm. I was very proud of the way she ran.”

Grace Hall, second May 11 in the Grade 2 Ruffian Stakes at Belmont Park, was second throughout, finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of Scherzinger, a 7-1 shot. Let Faith Arise, the 8-5 favorite, finished fourth and was never closer than fourth. Magic Union was fifth with Yahilwa last of six.

For Grace Hall, the winner of the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga in 2011, the Vanity was her second start after a 13-month layoff caused by a fracture in the coffin bone of a foot. Grace Hall was ridden by Joel Rosario, who rode Tonalist to victory June 7 in the Belmont Stakes.

“It was hard to get close to the horse on the lead,” Rosario said of Iotapa. Grace Hall “broke well, and I thought I was fine, but no one was catching the horse on the lead.”

Iotapa, by Afleet Alex, has won 5 of 11 starts and earned $616,796. The Vanity was her third stakes win, preceded by the minor Railbird Stakes at Hollywood Park in May 2013 and the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes in February.

Iotapa was claimed for $50,000 by current owner Hronis Racing from a maiden race at Hollywood Park in June 2012. Iotapa did not start again until February, 2013, when she won an optional claimer here.

Earlier this year, Iotapa was second to Let Faith Arise in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes over 1 1/8 miles here in March but a disappointing sixth in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff over seven furlongs May 3 at Churchill Downs.

The Vanity and Shoemaker were run in the past at Hollywood Park, which was closed for development last December.