Healthy Addiction a game winner of Lady's Secret

ARCADIA, Calif. - Healthy Addiction bravely re-rallied to finish first, then withstood a lengthy stewards's inquiry, before being declared the winner of the Grade 2, $250,000 on Sunday at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting.

Healthy Addiction ($8.80) was passed by Island Fashion soon after turning into the stretch, but came back on to prevail by a half-length over Star Parade, who nosed out Island Fashion for second. Healthy Addiction, ridden by Garrett Gomez, and Island Fashion, with Patrick Valenzuela, had bumped twice during the stretch run. The stewards ruled that each runner was responsible for one bump apiece, were equally at fault, and therefore the finish should not be altered.

"She really responded well. She's a fighter," Gomez said.

The victory was the third straight for Healthy Addiction, who completed a sensational weekend for Gomez. He won the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Vosburgh Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Healthy Addiction led through fractions of 23.03 seconds for a quarter mile, 46.33 for a half, and 1:10.10 for six furlongs. She completed 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:42.23. She was the third choice, behind Island Fashion and fourth-place finisher Hollywood Story.

John Sadler trains Healthy Addiction, 4, for owner Pamela Ziebarth. The daughter of Boston Harbor won the Osunitas Handicap, and Adoration Handicap, at Del Mar, and has now won six times in 14 starts. Sadler said Healthy Addiction would likely make her next start in the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Oct. 29 at Belmont Park.