Jojo Warrior earns first graded stakes with Summertime Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. – An early lead in her first start around two turns proved the difference for Jojo Warrior in Saturday’s $200,750 Summertime Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Jojo Warrior led throughout the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks, turning a half-length advantage on the first turn into a comprehensive win by 5 1/4 lengths in the race over 1 1/16 miles. JoJo Warrior ($8.40) was timed in 1:43.09.

“When she broke good, I put her on the lead, and she took advantage of that,” said winning jockey Martin Garcia. “She was sharp, and she just responded when I asked her to go.”

Jojo Warrior had a narrow advantage over 2-1 favorite Delta Flower on the first turn and led by as much as 1 1/2 lengths through a half-mile in 46.61 seconds. Delta Flower whittled the difference to a length on the turn but could get no closer. Jojo Warrior led by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining and was not challenged late.

Live for Now, a maiden making her stakes debut in her seventh career start, finished second, having raced in third place for the first mile. Live for Now finished a length in front of Front Range, who was making her stakes debut.

After the race, Live for Now unseated jockey Tyler Baze while being galloped back to the unsaddling area. The rider and the filly were not injured in the mishap.

Delta Flower, the winner of the Angels Flight Stakes over seven furlongs here last month, finished fourth in her first start around two turns.

Fleet of Gold was fifth, followed by Stop Smiling, Le Major Fiesta, and Arethusa. None of the eight fillies were graded stakes winners going into the Summertime Oaks.

Jojo Warrior, by Pioneerofthe Nile, races for breeder Ahmed Zayat and is trained by Bob Baffert. Baffert also trains Front Range.

Jojo Warrior has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $200,781. She was third in the Miss Preakness Stakes over six furlongs May 16 at Pimlico.