Go West Marie stays perfect with Stevens aboard in Turf Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. – Go West Marie kept her cool during a lengthy delay, then calmly picked off her rivals in the $151,750 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint on Saturday at Santa Anita, rallying from 11th to capture her second straight race, both since Gary Stevens took over as her rider.

Go West Marie ($13) settled well back off a hot pace cut out by Home Journey, got a rail run under Stevens through the lane, and was up in time to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:12.18 for about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside course.

Home Journey, who set splits of 21.20 seconds for the opening quarter and 42.80 seconds for a half-mile coming down the hill, kicked clear in upper stretch but was run down late by Go West Marie and had to settle for second.

More Complexity was another half-length back in third and was followed, in order, by Velvet Mesquite, Tribal Gal, 2-1 favorite Heat Trap, Kathleen Rose, Heavens Stairway, Marks Mine, Magic Spot, Doinghardtimeagain, and My Monet in the field of 12.

Both More Complexity and Marks Mine had to have their saddles readjusted after the call for riders’ up, which resulted in a delay of nearly 10 minutes until the start of the race.

“I couldn’t have been better mounted for that,” Stevens said. “She acted like a pony. In fact, I asked them to request an extra 30 seconds from the stewards after the delayed horses got to the gate so we could warm back up.”

Go West Marie, 4, is a daughter of Western Fame who has now won 5 of 17 starts. She is 3 for 8 since being transferred to trainer Eddie Truman. She is owned by Peter Redekop.