Gratefully remains unbeaten with game victory in Wishing Well

ARCADIA, Calif. – Her jockey describes her as a “total pro” and “battle tested.”

There are other descriptions that fit Gratefully, the winner of Saturday’s $102,000 Wishing Well Stakes at Santa Anita, such as undefeated and a stakes winner.

Winning for the fifth time, Gratefully set the pace in the restricted Wishing Well Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs on turf and held off a sustained threat from the British import Saratoga Special to win by a head.

“She would not let the other filly go by her,” said winning rider Florent Geroux.

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Sent off favored, Gratefully ($4) was timed in 1:07.83 and earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure, which equals her career best.

The turf course was listed as good for the Wishing Well, but upgraded to firm for the final two races on Saturday’s program.

Gratefully started from post 6 in a field of nine and was away sharply. She led by a length after a quarter-mile in 21.86 seconds and a half-mile in 44.62, closely tracked by 5-2 Saratoga Special.

Saratoga Special moved outside of Gratefully in early stretch and was within a half-length of the lead with a furlong remaining. Saratoga Special challenged Gratefully in the final sixteenth but could not pass the leader.

Saratoga Special finished two lengths clear of third-place finisher Antifona, the 72-1 longest shot in the field.

Saratoga Special, a minor stakes winner in Scotland last June, was second or third in the first half-mile, racing alongside Jungle Peace, who was ridden by Antonio Fresu.

Jockey Hector Berrios was left to wonder if the outcome would have been different if Jungle Peace had engaged Gratefully early.

“I think if Antonio Fresu puts pressure on the other filly, I win,” Berrios said. Gratefully “was very game.”

Amorita finished fourth, followed by Nay V Belle, Egyptian Mau, Imaboutago, Miss Lizzy, and Jungle Peace.

Geroux rode Gratefully for the first time in the Wishing Well, which was restricted to non-winners of a graded stakes since Aug. 1.

“She was a total pro,” Geroux said. “She was nice and relaxed.

“Her record speaks for itself. She is battle-tested and prevails every time.”

Gratefully, a 4-year-old filly by Laoban, races for Adelphi Racing Club and Russell and Shelly Hume.

Trained by Robert Falcone, Jr., Gratefully won three races at Saratoga and Aqueduct from August to October last year. She won her California debut in an allowance race at six furlongs at Santa Anita on Jan. 8, leading throughout.

All five of the wins have been at distances ranging from 5 1/2 furlongs to six furlongs.

Gratefully has earned $217,000.

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