Gaga A wins U.S. debut in Possibly Perfect

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gaga A won her fifth race in four countries in Sunday’s $77,050 Possibly Perfect Handicap for fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

A 6-year-old Uruguayan-bred, Gaga A won races in Brazil in 2012 and Argentina in 2013 and twice in France last year. She made her American debut in the Possibly Perfect Stakes, benefiting from a patient ride by jockey Tyler Baze to win the race at 1 1/2 miles on turf by 1 1/4 lengths.

Gaga A ($15.80) was timed in 2:29.78, beating the 3-5 favorite Gas Total.

Baze had Gaga A in third for the first mile racing on the rail behind Gas Total, who set a slow pace of 50.57 seconds for the first half-mile and six furlongs in 1:16.50. Turning into the stretch, Baze guided Gaga A off the rail and rallied between runners to take the lead in the final sixteenth.

“She quickened well,” trainer Neil Drysdale said.

Gas Total held second, finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of the 9-1 Halljoy. Customer Base was fourth, followed by Scooter Bird and Garnisheed Wages.

Drysdale said Gaga A will be pointed for the $150,000 Modesty Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 3/16 miles on turf July 11 at Arlington Park. Owned by Benjamin Steinbruch of Brazil, Gaga A has won 5 of 29 starts and earned $273,031. In France last year, she won two stakes, including the Group 3 Prix Fille de l’Air at Toulouse in November.