Hariboux goes last to first in Pasadena Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hariboux rallied from last to finish a game second in the Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita in late December, the first time jockey Umberto Rispoli rode the gelding.

Rispoli, who moved from Hong Kong to California in December, used that experience in Saturday’s $102,000 Pasadena Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Hariboux closed from last in the one-mile turf race. This time, Hariboux reached the front in time, beating pacesetter Smooth Like Strait by a length.

Hariboux broke from the outside post in a field of nine and was not at the back of the field for long. A quarter-mile into the race, Hariboux was seventh and stayed in that position through the midway point. On the turn, Rispoli moved Hariboux closer and was fourth with a quarter-mile remaining.

Hariboux trailed Smooth Like Strait by a half-length with a furlong remaining before taking the lead.

“He was looking around when I took the lead,” Rispoli said.

Hariboux, a British-bred by Havana Gold, was timed in 1:34.07 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

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Smooth Like Strait, who won the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at Del Mar on Dec. 1 and was fourth in the Eddie Logan, was the 8-5 favorite and finished 3 3/4 lengths in front of 33-1 Club Aspen.

Smooth Like Strait led by a half-length on the backstretch and by only a head on the turn, holding off a threat from Goliad before Hariboux reached contention.

“We did all the dirty work,” said Michael McCarthy, who trains Smooth Like Strait. “We got pressured and did everything but win.”

Goliad finished fourth, followed by Liar Liar, Last Opportunity, Governance, Rager, and Ra’ad.

Hariboux races for Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal and trainer Jeff Mullins. Hariboux began his career in England last year where he won three minor races at Wolverhampton, Brighton, and Newmarket in July and August.

Imported to the United States last September, Hariboux has won two of five starts in this country. In his career, Hariboux has won five of 10 starts and earned $134,931.